"Do you know Mr. Fairfax, the gentleman to whom she is engaged?" "Well, yes; I am supposed to have some knowledge of that individual." Something in his smile, and a certain significance in his tone, let in a sudden light upon Clarissa's mind. "I am afraid I am asking very foolish questions," she said. "You are Mr. Fairfax?" "Yes, I am George Fairfax. I forgot that I had omitted to tell you my name that night." "And I had no idea that I was speaking to Mr. Fairfax. You were not expected till quite late this evening." "No; but I found my business in London easier to manage than I had supposed it would be; so, as in duty bound, I came down here directly I found myself free. When I arrived at the Castle, I was told of this picnic, and rode off at once to join the party." "And I am keeping you here, when you ought to be looking for your friends." "There is no hurry. I have done my duty, and am here; that is the grand point. Shall we go and look for them together?" "If you like. I daresay we shall be returning to the Castle very soon." They sauntered slowly away, in and out among the trees, towards a grassy glade, where there was more open space for walking, and where the afternoon sun shone warmly on the smooth turf. "I hope you get on very well with Geraldine?" Mr. Fairfax said presently. It was almost the same phrase Lady Laura had used about her sister. "I have seen so little of her yet," Clarissa answered, rather embarrassed by this inquiry. "I should like to know her very much; but she only arrived yesterday, and we have scarcely spoken half-a-dozen words to each other yet." "You will hardly like her at first, perhaps," Mr. Fairfax went on, doubtfully. "People who don't know much of her are apt to fancy her cold and proud; but to those whom she really likes she is all that is charming, and I don't think she can fail to like you." "You are very kind to say so. I hope she may like me. Do you know, I have been so much interested in Lady Geraldine from the first, before I saw her even--partly, perhaps, because her sister told me about her engagement. You will think that very romantic and silly, I daresay." "Not at all; a young lady is bound to be interested in that kind of thing. And I hope your interest in Lady Geraldine was not lessened when you did see her." "It could scarcely be that. No one could help admiring her." "Yes, she is very handsome, there is no question about that; she has been an acknowledged beauty ever since she came out. I think I can catch a glimpse of her yonder among the trees; I see a white dress and a scarlet shawl. Geraldine always had a penchant for scarlet draperies." "Yes, that is Lady Geraldine."