decided he liked fair hair best. Constantia's was dark. They soon
outdistanced the two men who followed at a leisurely pace. Mr. Aston
looked after them and said kindly:

"The little girl still gives trouble, I see."

"Occasionally." Nevil made the admission with reluctance. "There was a
scene this morning. I don't know what started it. Perhaps I teased
her. She flung a plate at me. I don't believe she _can_ help it, poor
child."

"You mustn't tell her so, Nevil."

"You'd tell her anything you could if you saw her after. She'll grow
out of it."

"I hope so."

They fell to talking of the estate, which Nevil was supposed to look
after. He did, when he remembered it, but that was not often, and not
of late. His father, half exasperated, half laughing, told him he
would defer his lecture till later on. Nevil penitently agreed it was
only fitting to do so, and slipping his arm through his father's,
began to explain to him the rights of a controversy just started in
the _Historical Review_. No one was ever angry with Nevil long. His
unchangeable sweet temper and gentle judgment of mankind, his entire
lack of vanity and the very real ability that was concealed under his
elusive personality outweighed the exasperation his irresponsibility
and indolence sometimes awoke. He had no enemies among those who knew
him, and the bitterest controversy with pen and ink could be brought
to a close in an interview. It must, however, be confessed that with
pen in hand Nevil was more dangerous than the unwary might imagine. He
knew his power with that weapon and when he chose to use it, did so to
good purpose with a polished finish to his scathing periods, that made
men twenty years his senior hate with fierce passion Aston the writer,
as surely as they would end by appreciation of Aston the man after a
personal encounter.

Patricia and Christopher having outdistanced their elders proceeded
to make friends in their own way. The girl began operations by asking
if he would like to see the stables and found it aroused no enthusiasm
in him, which was a point to the bad. But he was polite enough to say
he would like to go if she wished it, which nearly equalised matters
again. She confessed it might be nice to have someone to play with,
which Christopher thought very friendly of her, and told her of his
guinea-pigs, which would arrive in the evening with Robert and the
luggage. That was distinctly a point to the good; they both waxed
el