It gave Winifred a start to come upon the two walking towards the green-houses; Ada with much the same little air of prettiness and self-consciousness which she had displayed towards Anthony on the day of the sisters' visit, Mr Warren certainly more attentive and lover-like than the real lover had been. And Ada was not in the least discomposed by the look of astonishment in Winifred's clear eyes. There was, on the contrary, a triumphant tone in her voice. "We are going to see Mr Mannering's ferns. It is such a delightful day. I do think it was so charming of Mr Mannering to give this party, but then he is charming, and I was just telling Mr Warren that I had lost my heart to him." It is strange how from some lips praise of those we like becomes much more unbearable than its reverse. Winifred had never felt so uncharitably towards Mr Robert. They went on through the flickering sunshine--which the bordering espalier trees were not tall enough to shadow--talking and laughing, while Winifred looked after them with a perplexed sadness for Anthony. What was he about?--why was he not here?--did he think he could escape pain like this? She was right in concluding that his absence would not improve his position, for people who came with the intention of being gracious were thrown back upon themselves. It looked odd, they said, to see Miss Lovell there and Mr Miles absent. It left the party incomplete. The day was exquisite: a little breeze rustled through the great elms, the lights were laden with colour, there were grave sharply cut shadows on the grass, a soft fresh warmth, full of exhilaration, Mr Robert's brightest flowers sunning themselves, but--somehow or other there was a jar. Even Mrs Bennett began to look a little troubled at the speeches which reached her ears, especially when Mrs Featherly drew her chair close to her, and began what she intended for consolation. "You and Mr Bennett should have made a point of it, you should indeed, if only in consideration of what is past," she said, shaking her head impressively. "There can be no doubt but that it was his duty to come. And it always grieves me deeply when you see people endeavouring to evade a duty." "He has gone to London," said poor Mrs Bennett, with a feeble show of indignation. "And my husband says that ladies have no idea of what business requires." "I flatter myself that there is nothing of Mr Featherly's business which I do not know as well as he does himself," said Mrs Featherly loftily, "and I should make it a point of principle to be acquainted with that of any one likely to become connected with our family, especially if there were a past to be considered. But of course, if Mr Bennett is satisfied--and he is, I believe, remarkable for his caution?"