“It comes from reading _The Sheik_,” said Bundle. “Desert love. Throw her about, etc.” “What is _The Sheik_?” asked Lord Caterham simply. “Is it a poem?” Bundle looked at him with commiserating pity. Then she rose and kissed the top of his head. “Dear old Daddy,” she remarked, and sprang lightly out of the window. Lord Caterham went back to the Sale Rooms. He jumped when addressed suddenly by Mr. Hiram Fish, who had made his usual noiseless entry. “Good morning, Lord Caterham.” “Oh, good morning,” said Lord Caterham. “Good morning. Nice day.” “The weather is delightful,” said Mr. Fish. He helped himself to coffee. By way of food, he took a piece of dry toast. “Do I hear correctly that the embargo is removed?” he asked after a minute or two. “That we are all free to depart?” “Yes—er—yes,” said Lord Caterham. “As a matter of fact, I hoped, I mean that I shall be delighted”—his conscience drove him on—“only too delighted if you will stay on for a little.” “Why, Lord Caterham——” “It’s been a beastly visit, I know,” Lord Caterham hurried on. “Too bad. Shan’t blame you for wanting to run away.” “You misjudge me, Lord Caterham. The associations have been painful, no one could deny that point. But the English country life, as lived in the mansions of the great, has a powerful attraction for me. I am interested in the study of those conditions. It is a thing we lack completely in America. I shall be only too delighted to accept your vurry kind invitation and stay on.” “Oh, well,” said Lord Caterham, “that’s that. Absolutely delighted, my dear fellow, absolutely delighted.” Spurring himself on to a false geniality of manner, Lord Caterham murmured something about having to see his bailiff and escaped from the room. In the hall, he saw Virginia just descending the staircase. “Shall I take you into breakfast?” asked Lord Caterham tenderly. “I’ve had it in bed, thank you. I was frightfully sleepy this morning.” She yawned. “Had a bad night, perhaps?” “Not exactly a bad night. From one point of view decidedly a good night. Oh, Lord Caterham”—she slipped her hand inside his arm and gave it a squeeze—“I _am_ enjoying myself. You were a darling to ask me down.” “You’ll stop on for a bit, then, won’t you? Battle is lifting the—the embargo, but I want you to stay particularly. So does Bundle.” “Of course I’ll stay. It’s sweet of you to ask me.” “Ah!” said Lord Caterham. He sighed. “What is your secret sorrow?” asked Virginia. “Has anyone bitten you?” “That’s just it,” said Lord Caterham mournfully. Virginia looked puzzled. “You don’t feel, by any chance, that you want to throw a boot at me? No, I can see you don’t. Oh, well, it’s of no consequence.” Lord Caterham drifted sadly away, and Virginia passed out through a side door into the garden. She stood there for a moment, breathing in the crisp October air which was infinitely refreshing to one in her slightly jaded state.