This conversation was conducted in French, and Mrs. Morris could make nothing of it. Even if she had known the sense she would not have understood what it meant. However, Olga and her mother reverted to English for the benefit of the landlady, and chatted about their proposed visit to Ware's mansion. After that came luncheon. Shortly after three mother and daughter were with Giles. He received them with composure, although he felt quite otherwise than composed. The Princess pronounced him a charming young man. "And what a delightful place you have here!" she said, looking at the quaint Tudor house, with its grey walls and mullion windows. "It is like a fairy palace. The Castle"--she meant her husband's residence in Styria--"is cruel-looking and wild." "It was built in the Middle Ages," said Olga. "I don't think any one was particularly amiable then." "I would rather have stayed in Jamaica," sighed the Princess. "Why did I ever leave it?" Olga, who always appeared annoyed when her mother reverted to her early life, touched the elder woman's elbow. The Princess sighed again, and held her peace. She had a fine temper of her own, but always felt that it was an effort to use it. She therefore usually gave in to Olga. "It saved trouble," she explained. But her good temper did not last all the afternoon, and ended in disarranging Olga's plans. After a hearty afternoon tea on the lawn the Princess said that she did not feel well, and wished to go home. Olga demurred, but Giles, seeing the chance of escape, agreed that the Princess really was unwell, and proposed to send them back to the inn in his carriage. Princess Karacsay jumped at the offer. "It will save me walking," she declared fretfully, "and I have done so much this morning." "Where did you go?" asked Giles, wondering that so indolent a woman should exert herself on such a hot day. "To some woods round a place they call the Priory." "To the Priory!" he exclaimed, astonished. "Do you know Mr. Franklin?" "My mother said the woods round the Priory," explained Olga, with an annoyed glance at the elder lady. "She did not enter." "No," said the Princess, "I did not enter; I do not know the man. Oh, my dear Olga, do come back. I don't feel at all well." "I will order the carriage," said Giles, rising. "And you will come back with us?" "Really, you must excuse me, Mademoiselle Olga," he answered; "but even a country squire has his work to do." And with that he hurried away. In half an hour he had the satisfaction of seeing the carriage roll down his avenue with a very disappointed young lady frowning at the broad back of the coachman. Then he set about seeing what he could do to circumvent her.