"And you are never lonely?" she said. "I am seldom alone, my dear Mrs. Musgrave," he said. She turned the conversation. "Where have you been living since your retirement?" "I took a place in England in the hunting-country--quite a decent place." "Ah? Where?" "About two miles from a little town called Weir." Hunt-Goring spoke deliberately, still watching his hostess's slim fingers at work. "Why!" Swiftly Daisy looked up. "That is where the Ratcliffes live--Jim Ratcliffe and Olga. Olga is out here now with Nick. Did you know?" Hunt-Goring nodded to each sentence. "I know it all. I know Jim Ratcliffe, and a burly old monster he is. I know Nick of Redlands--also the sedate Mrs. Nick. And, last but not least, I know--Olga." He spoke mockingly; his look was derisive. "I had no idea you had been living there," said Daisy. "I was the hornet in the hive," said Hunt-Goring with his lazy laugh. "It's rather a hole of a place, though I liked The Warren well enough. I'm not going back there. You can tell Olga so with my love." "She and Nick are dining here to-night," observed Daisy, "so you will be able to tell her yourself." "What! To meet me!" It was Hunt-Goring's turn to look surprised. He did so with an accompanying sneer. "How did you describe me, I wonder? You couldn't have mentioned my name." Daisy regarded him steadily for a moment. "Is there any reason why she should not meet you?" she asked. "None whatever," said Hunt-Goring, with a shrug. "Needless to say, I shall be quite charmed to meet her." At this point the conversation was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Noel. He came out through the French window of the drawing-room with his habitual air of cheery assurance, and was instantly pounced upon by Peggy who hailed him with delight. He caught her up in his arms. "Well, little sweetheart, are we going for our ride? What does Mummy say?" He laughed down at Daisy, the child mounted high on his shoulder. Daisy laughed back because she could not help it. "Oh, Noel, you are incorrigible! I don't think I dare trust her to you. Why do you suggest these headlong things?" "But, my dear Mrs. Musgrave," he protested, "does any harm ever come to her when she is with me? You know I would guard her with my life!" "Yes, I know," smiled Daisy. "But I am not sure that that would be a very great safe-guard. You are so reckless yourself. By the way, let me introduce Major Hunt-Goring--an old friend. Major Hunt-Goring--Mr. Wyndham!" Noel nodded careless acknowledgment. Hunt-Goring merely lifted his brows momentarily. He did not greatly care for the boy's familiarity with his hostess. It was a privilege which he did not wish to share. "Well, shall we start?" said Noel. "I've brought one of my polo mounts for Peggy," he added to Daisy. "You know the Chimpanzee. He's as quiet as a lamb. Come and give us a send-off! Really you needn't be anxious."