"The dinner is a horrible bore," answered Flo; "those Manchester friends of Mr. Lobyer's care for nothing but dinners; and Manchester is paramount in this house. Why can't one put one's housekeeper at the head of the table on such occasions? I'm sure Mrs. Prowen is a very ladylike person, and I could lend her some of my diamonds. You don't know how I hate those wearisome banquets, Sir Nugent, with the eternal Palestine soup, and turbot, and haunches of mutton, and sparkling moselle, and crystallised fruit, and forced pineapples, and wax-candles, and that stifling odour peculiar to all dining-rooms, which seems like a combination of roast meat and rose-water. But give the ponies their heads, if you please. How long am I to drive?" She asked the question in her most charming manner, with that half-coquettish air of submission which is so delightful when evinced by a very pretty woman towards a man to whom she has no right to defer. "An hour and a half at the uttermost," answered the Baronet, looking at his watch. "I shall be on the look-out for your return; and if you outstay your leave of absence, I shall exercise my authority as stage-manager, and condemn you to the most awful penance I can imagine. You shall play Léonie de Presles without your wig." "That would be a very small penance; I am sure the wig is hideously ugly, and that I shall look a perfect object in it." "And I am sure you think no such thing, Mrs. Lobyer. I know you tried the effect of the wig last night by candlelight, and were charmed with it; yes, your blushes convict you; and Lady Cecil knows I am right." Flo shook her head in coquettish protestation, and drove away; the bells jingling gaily in the frosty air as she went. "Isn't he nice, Cecil?" she asked presently. "Who, dear?" "Sir Nugent, of course." "Yes, he is very agreeable. But I think----" "You think what, Cecil? Pray speak out. I can't bear people to begin sentences they can't finish." "Perhaps you'll be offended if I speak frankly." "Oh dear, no, say just what you like. It is my normal state to be lectured. People never hesitate to say what they please about me and my goings on." "I think, dear, you are a little too much inclined to talk to him in a manner, or to let him talk to you in a manner that is almost like flirting. I know how difficult it is to draw the line between what is and what is not flirting; and I dare say you will think me very absurd, dear----" "I don't think you at all absurd. I know that I flirt with Sir Nugent Evershed." "Flo!"