"It's Dick's birthday." She clapped her hands at a happy inspiration, and hung on his arm. "Oh, Austin! If we could only give him the appointment as a birthday present!" Her touch, her fresh charm, the eagerness in her eyes roused him to unwonted enthusiasm. In his sane moments he did not care a fig for anybody's birthday. What man ever does? He proclaimed the splendour of her idea. But how was it to be realised? "Send a long prepaid telegram to Lord Overton, of course," said Viviette triumphantly. (How unresourceful are men!) "Then we can get an answer to-day." "You forget the nearest telegraph office is at Witherby, seven miles off." "But Dick and I are going for a drive. I'll make him go to Witherby and I'll send the telegram. Write it." She drew him in her caressing way to the table, seated him in the chair, and laid the block of telegram forms before him. He scribbled industriously, and when he had finished handed her the sheets. "There!" He fished in his pockets for money, but Viviette checked him. She was the fairy godmother in this fairy tale, and fairy godmothers always held the purse. She glanced again at her watch. It was ten minutes past eleven. "Perhaps he's waiting with the trap for me all the time. Au revoir." "I'll see you off," said Austin. They went together into the hall and opened the front door. The new mare and the dog-cart in charge of the stable lad were there, but no Dick. "Where's Mr. Ware?" "Don't know, miss." Then the Devil entered into Viviette. There is no other explanation. The Devil entered into her. "We must get to Witherby and back before lunch. You drive me over instead of Dick." They exchanged glances. Austin was young. He was in love with her. Dick had committed the unpardonable offence of being late. It would serve him right. "I'll come," said he, disappearing in search of cap and gloves. Viviette went into the hall and scribbled a note. "Dear Dick,--You're late. Austin and I have the most important business to transact at Witherby, so he's driving me over. We're preparing a great surprise for you.--Viviette." "Give this to Mr. Ware," she said to the stable boy as she prepared to get into the dog-cart. The boy touched his cap and ran to open the gate. Viviette lightly mounted by Austin's side. They had just turned into the road when Dick came racing through the hall and saw them disappear. He walked up the drive, and met the boy coming down, who handed him the note, with some words, which he did not hear. He watched the boy out of sight. Then he tore the note unread into tiny fragments, stamped them furiously into the mould of the nearest bed, and, flying into his armoury, threw himself into a chair and cursed the day that ever Austin was born. CHAPTER III KATHERINE