et, and Grizel, made an extraordinary play with her
eyebrows which gave the effect of contrition, and defiance, and injured
innocence, and apologetic love, and half a dozen appealing sentiments
rolled into one, whereat Martin shrugged, and cried, "You women!" and
racked his brain to think what consolation to offer next.

"Cheer up, darling, we'll have a holiday next month. I've had a note
from the agent to say we can have the house, and the Squire is keen to
join. You'll enjoy the sea and unlimited powwows with Lady Cassandra,
and, if you speak her fair, perhaps she'll take over the housekeeping,
and set you free."

The mutual renting of a house near a seaside golf course had been in
discussion for some time between the two households, but Grizel betrayed
only a mitigated satisfaction in her husband's proposal.

"Cassandra knows nothing about housekeeping, and if she did I'm not
going to give it up, just as there's a chance of getting a little
credit. I'm getting quite a daisy at it now. Guess what you're going
to have to-night? _Best end of the neck_! Cook suggested it, and I
said, `_Whose_ neck?' She looked quite scared. Martin, did you know
you had chops growing inside your neck? Isn't it thrilling?... I'm
going to kiss you on the best end of your neck!"

She rose, and put her threat into execution, then sauntered over to an
easy chair, and lit a cigarette.

"Of course, when you talk so sweetly about my talks with Cassandra, I
know you are inwardly gloating on golf. You throw Cassandra to me as a
sop, so that you may feel free, and have no scruples in leaving me day
after day. Never mind! retribution will be yours. Poor angel! _how_
tired you will get of hours and hours of undiluted Squire..."

"I'm not so sure; he is a type, and I'm interested in types, and from
the golfer's point of view, an approximate handicap covers a multitude
of sins. And I don't propose to confine myself to Raynor. I asked
Peignton to come down, and he was delighted."

Grizel frowned thoughtfully.

"I like Captain Peignton. It's noble of me, for he has never quite made
up his mind to like me, but I'm not altogether sure that you were wise
to ask him this time."

"For Heaven's sake why not?"

Martin's bewilderment was transparent. Grizel dropped her eyes, and
played with her cigarette. A suspicious listener might have accused her
of searching for a judicious reply.

"Well!--he's engaged. And I don't want her. S