g from the farther side; but now there was a fourth member of
the party, for Dane Peignton walked beside his _fiancee_, smiling down
into her upturned face, and for the moment unobservant of the
new-comers, who were still some distance away. Cassandra's hand jerked
on Mary's arm, she was conscious of a rise of colour, and to cover it
said quickly:

"Captain Peignton has deigned to appear at last. I asked him to lunch.
Teresa should scold him... but I suppose they meet constantly. Are they
to be married quite soon?"

She was glad of an opportunity of putting a question which she longed to
have answered, but had shirked putting into words, but Mary's answer was
not illuminative.

"I hope not."

Was this an expression of sisterly affection which dreaded the hour of
separation? Cassandra could not decide, and it was too late to question
further, for Dane had seen her and was hurrying forward to offer
apologies for his non-appearance at lunch. Teresa followed and stood by
his side, supplementing his explanations with a proprietary air, and
Mrs Mallison beamed proudly in the background. Quite a family party!
She wished certain of the Chumley matrons who were apt to be patronising
in their manner, could arrive at this moment, and see her girls the
centre of so distinguished a group.

Cassandra was conscious of an intense irritation.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

A WILLING CAPTIVE.

The bulb party pursued its inevitable course. The guests arrived in
little groups of three and and four, entered the house at the front and
made their painful way along highly polished corridors, to a door
leading on to the terrace, where Cassandra stood waiting to receive
them. Here it was the orthodox thing to intercept greetings with
ejaculatory exclamations of admiration at the beauty of the floral
display, which being done the visitors descended the stone steps, and
roamed to and fro, picking up other friends _en route_. At times the
pitiful sun shone out, and then the Chumley matrons unloosed the feather
boas which were an inevitable accessory of their toilettes, and confided
in one another that it was "quite balmy," and anon it retired behind a
cloud, and gave place to an east wind which came whirling round
unexpected comers, sharp and keen as a knife. Then the matrons thought
wistfully of the bountifully spread tea tables which they had discerned
through the windows on the terrace, and consulted watch bracelets to see
how soon