"Yes, it's me all right, Burford," laughed Oliver. "How did I get here? I dropped from the moon." He shook hands with Burford, of whose life he had been the plague during his childhood, proclaimed him as hardy and unchanging as a gargoyle, and instructed him where to find man and luggage. The Bruces and the two clerical tennis players departed. Marmaduke was for taking his leave too. All his old loathing of Oliver had suddenly returned. His cousin stood for everything he detested--swagger, arrogance, self-assurance. He hated the shabby rakishness of his attire, the self-assertive aquiline beak of a nose which he had inherited from his father, the Rector. He dreaded his aggressive masculinity. He had come back with the same insulting speech on his lips. His finger-nails were dreadful. Marmaduke desired as little as possible of his odious company. But his Aunt Sophia cried out: "You'll surely dine with us to-night, Marmaduke, to celebrate Oliver's return?" And Oliver chimed in, "Do! And don't worry about changing," as Doggie began to murmur excuses, "I can't. I've no evening togs. My old ones fell to bits when I was trying to put them on, on board the steamer, and I had to chuck 'em overboard. They turned up a shark, who went for 'em. So don't you worry, Doggie, old chap. You look as pretty as paint as you are. Doesn't he, Peggy?" Peggy, with a slight flush on her cheek, came to the rescue and linked her arm in Marmaduke's. "You haven't had time to learn everything yet, Oliver; but I think you ought to know that we are engaged." "Holy Gee! Is that so? My compliments." He swept them a low bow. "God bless you, my children!" "Of course he'll stay to dinner," said Peggy; and she looked at Oliver as who should say, "Touch him at your peril: he belongs to me." So Doggie had to yield. Mrs. Conover went into the house to arrange for Oliver's comfort, and the others strolled round the garden. "Well, my boy," said the Dean, "so you're back in the old country?" "Turned up again like a bad penny." The Dean's kindly face clouded. "I hope you'll soon be able to find something to do." "It's money I want, not work," said Oliver. "Ah!" said the Dean, in a tone so thoughtful as just to suggest a lack of sympathy. Oliver looked over his shoulder--the Dean and himself were preceding Marmaduke and Peggy on the trim gravel path. "Do you care to lend me a few thousands, Doggie?" "Certainly not," replied Marmaduke. "There's family affection for you, Uncle Edward! I've come half-way round the earth to see him, and--say, will you lend me a fiver?" "If you need it," said Marmaduke in a dignified way, "I shall be very happy to advance you five pounds." Oliver brought the little party to a halt and burst into laughter.