"There is such a thing as the post," said Towton, exasperated by the young man's cool assurance. He took up the magazine again, then hesitated and threw it on the table. Averse as the Colonel was to discuss his private affairs with anyone, and least of all with Maunders, whom he so frankly hated, he felt that he ought to take advantage of this chance to learn exactly what was Maunders' attitude towards Ida. "Am I to understand that you are engaged to Miss Dimsdale?" he asked sharply. "Why should you think that?" asked Constantine negligently. "Why, indeed! Considering that one day you profess to be paying attentions to Miss Corsoon and the next pay your addresses to Miss Dimsdale. But as you are going down to Gerby Hall it looks as though you inclined to marry the latter young lady." "No," said Maunders indolently and looking at Towton through half-closed eyelids. "I am going to see Francis Hest, who is a friend of mine. But I daresay Miss Hest and Miss Dimsdale find it dull, so I may be able to amuse them a trifle." "I am quite sure of that," said Towton sarcastically; "your social qualifications are well known. But I asked you if you were engaged to Miss Dimsdale." "No, I am not, nor am I likely to be." This was good news, but Towton could not be sure if Maunders was speaking honestly. "Then you intend to marry Miss Corsoon?" said the Colonel. "I do. But I don't see why you should trouble yourself about my private affairs," said Maunders, insolently cool. "It was not I who sought this interview. But as you chose to speak to me I have every right to mention a subject which concerns us both." "And concerns Vernon also." "Precisely," said Towton with great emphasis. "It is useless to disguise the fact, Mr. Maunders, that we are rivals, and----" "Pardon me, no," interrupted the young man quickly. "I have been refused by Miss Dimsdale, so the field is open to you." "Ida refused you?" muttered the Colonel stupefied. "Strange, is it not?" replied Maunders lightly, "but such is the case. I asked her to marry me and she hinted at a previous attachment. I presume she meant-----" Towton threw up his hand and coloured through his bronzed skin. "We will not mention names, if you please." "I don't mind. But you know how the land lies--so far as I am concerned, that is. But you will have to reckon with Francis Hest." "Miss Hest's brother?" "The same. Francis and Frances--twins, with twin names, you might say. She is devoted to this more than brother, and wishes him to marry money." "Do you mean to say that Miss Hest has taken Miss Dimsdale down to Gerby Hall so that she may meet Mr. Hest?"