"Oh, well, he's of no importance beyond being the source of a perfectly topping billet for you." Ann brushed the owner of Heronsmere off the map with an airy wave of her hand. "He's quite at liberty to enjoy his womanless Eden as far as I'm concerned. Men--other than extremely nice brothers, of course!--are really far more bother than they're worth. They're--they're so _unexpected_"--with a swift recollection of the upsetting vagaries of mood exhibited by a certain member of the sex. Robin threw her a brief glance, then, drawing his whip lightly across the cob's glossy flanks, he asked casually: "And how did you leave the Brabazons?" "They're both looking very fit after three months in Switzerland, of course, but I think Tony found it a bit boring compared with Monte Carlo. They came straight on to Montricheux from Mentone, you know." "Tony still gambles as much as ever, then?" Ann's face clouded. "I'm afraid he does," she acknowledged. "At least, whenever he gets the chance." "Well, he won't get much chance down at Lorne," remarked Robin philosophically. "They're not going down to Lorne yet. They go back to Audley Square till the end of this month. That's quite long enough for Tony to get into trouble"--ruefully. "Lady Susan says he plays a lot in her nephew's set--that's the Brett Forrester Tony sometimes speaks of as such a fine bridge player." "I've heard of Forrester from other people," observed Robin. "He's got the reputation of being one of the most dare-devil gamblers in London--in every shape and form. Cards, horses, roulette--anything you like as long as it's got the element of chance in it." Ann's brows drew together. "That may be all right for Mr. Forrester. As Lady Susan says, he can afford to throw money away if he chooses. Tony can't, you know. Sir Philip's pretty strict over his allowance." "I'm rather anxious to meet your Lady Susan," said Robin. "It was very decent of her to let you leave her almost at once like that." "Lady Susan always _would_ do the decent thing, I think," returned Ann, smiling. "The other thing doesn't seem to occur to her. You'll meet her before long, as she comes straight home from Paris. Isn't it strange that you should get this berth and that we should come to live quite close to her?"