While they are all very kind here, there is that asphyxiating atmosphere of stiffness and decorum which affects every one who comes to Tryland. A sort of “The gold must be tried by fire, and the heart must be wrung by pain” kind of suggestion about everything. They are extraordinarily cheerful, because it is a Christian virtue, cheerfulness; not because they are brimming over with joy, or that lovely feeling of being alive, and not minding much what happens, you feel so splendid, like I get on fine days. Everything they do has a reason or a moral in it. This party is because pheasants have to be killed in November--and certain people have to be entertained, and their charities can be assisted through them. Oh! if I had a big house, and were rich, I would have lovely parties, with all sorts of nice people, because I wanted to give them a good time and laugh myself. Lady Verningham was talking to me just before tea, when the second train load arrived. I tried to be quite indifferent, but I did feel dreadfully excited when Lord Robert walked in. Oh! he looked such a beautiful creature, so smart, and straight, and lithe! Lady Katherine was frightfully stiff with him; it would have discouraged most people, but that is the lovely part about Lord Robert, he is always absolutely _sans gêne_! He saw me at once, of course, and came over as straight as a die the moment he could. “How do, Robert!” said Lady Verningham, looking very surprised to see him, and giving him her fingers in such an attractive way. _How_ are you here? And why is our Campie not? Thereby hangs some tale, I feel sure!” “Why, yes!” said Lord Robert, and he held her hand. Then he looked at me with his eyebrows up. “But won’t you introduce me to Miss Travers? to my great chagrin she seems to have forgotten me!” I laughed, and Lady Verningham introduced us, and he sat down beside us, and every one began tea. Lady Verningham had such a look in her eye! “Robert, tell me about it!” she said. “I hear they have five thousand pheasants to slay,” Lord Robert replied, looking at her with his innocent smile. “Robert, you are lying!” she said, and she laughed. She is so pretty when she laughs, not very young, over thirty I should think, but such a charm! As different as different can be from the whole Montgomerie family! I hardly spoke, they continued to tease one another, and Lord Robert ate most of a plate of bread and butter that was near. “I am dam’d hungry, Lady Ver!” he said. She smiled at him; she evidently likes him very much. “Robert! you must not use such language here!” she said. “Oh, doesn’t he say them often! those dams!” I burst out, not thinking for a moment--then I stopped, remembering. She did seem surprised.