"Fortunately he doesn't take enough interest in my doings. Of course, if I didn't turn up at a meal, he'd make a fuss, though why he should make such a point of our having all our meals together I can't conceive. I should certainly enjoy mine much more if I had them in my sitting-room," she said in a dispassionate tone, for all the world as if she were discussing the case of some one else. "I _am_ so worried about you," he said with a harassed air. "Ever since that evening I heard him bullying you I've been simply worried to death about it." "It was nice of you to interfere, but it was a pity," she said gently. "It didn't do any good as far as his behaviour is concerned, and we saw so much more of one another when you could come to the Castle." "Then you do want to see more of me?" he said eagerly. Lady Loudwater lost her smiling air; she became demureness itself, and she said: "Well, you see--thanks to Egbert's vile temper--we have so few friends." Grey frowned; she was always quick to elude him. Then he growled: "What a name! Egbert!" "He can't help that. It was given him. Besides, it's a family name," she said in a tone of fine impartiality. "It would be. Hogbert!" said Grey contemptuously. Mrs. Truslove and Mr. Manley were not the only people to ignore the essential bullness of Lord Loudwater. They went on a few steps in silence; then she said: "Besides, I don't mind his outbursts. I'm used to them." "I don't believe it! You're much too delicate and sensitive!" he cried. "But I _am_ getting used to them," she protested. "You never will. Has he been bullying you again?" he said, looking anxiously into her eyes. "Not more than usual," she said in a wholly indifferent tone. "Then it is usual! I was afraid it was," he said in a miserable voice. "What on earth is to be done about it?" "Why, there's nothing to be done, except just grin and bear it," she said bravely enough, and with the conviction of one who has thought a matter out thoroughly. "Then it's monstrous! Just monstrous, that the most charming and loveliest creature in the world should be bullied by that infernal brute!" he cried, and put his arm around her. The Countess was on the very point of slipping out of it when the cat Melchisidec came out of the bushes a dozen yards ahead of them, and with Melchisidec came a very distinct vision of Lord Loudwater's flushed, distorted, and revolting face as he swore at her at breakfast that morning. She did not slip out of the encircling arm, and Grey bent his head and kissed her lightly on the lips. It was the gentlest, lightest kiss, the kiss he might have given a pretty child, just a natural tribute to beauty and charm.