e up her mind what step she would take.

Mrs. Davilow was of course astonished to see Gwendolen returning alone,
and was not without some uneasiness which the presence of other ladies
hindered her from showing. In answer to her words of surprise Gwendolen
said--

"Oh, I have been rather silly. I lingered behind to look at the
Whispering Stones, and the rest hurried on after something, so I lost
sight of them. I thought it best to come home by the short way--the
avenue that the warden had told me of. I'm not sorry after all. I had
had enough walking."

"Your party did not meet Mr. Grandcourt, I presume," said Mrs.
Arrowpoint, not without intention.

"No," said Gwendolen, with a little flash of defiance, and a light
laugh. "And we didn't see any carvings on the trees, either. Where can
he be? I should think he has fallen into the pool or had an apoplectic
fit."

With all Gwendolen's resolve not to betray any agitation, she could not
help it that her tone was unusually high and hard, and her mother felt
sure that something unpropitious had happened.

Mrs. Arrowpoint thought that the self-confident young lady was much
piqued, and that Mr. Grandcourt was probably seeing reason to change
his mind.

"If you have no objection, mamma, I will order the carriage," said
Gwendolen. "I am tired. And every one will be going soon."

Mrs. Davilow assented; but by the time the carriage was announced as,
ready--the horses having to be fetched from the stables on the warden's
premises--the roving party reappeared, and with them Mr. Grandcourt.

"Ah, there you are!" said Lord Brackenshaw, going up to Gwendolen, who
was arranging her mamma's shawl for the drive. "We thought at first you
had alighted on Grandcourt and he had taken you home. Lush said so. But
after that we met Grandcourt. However, we didn't suppose you could be
in any danger. The warden said he had told you a near way back."

"You are going?" said Grandcourt, coming up with his usual air, as if
he did not conceive that there had been any omission on his part. Lord
Brackenshaw gave place to him and moved away.

"Yes, we are going," said Gwendolen, looking busily at her scarf, which
she was arranging across her shoulders Scotch fashion.

"May I call at Offendene to-morrow?"

"Oh yes, if you like," said Gwendolen, sweeping him from a distance
with her eyelashes. Her voice was light and sharp as the first touch of
frost.

Mrs. Davilow accepted his arm to lead her