Mrs. Pouncefort's garden-party was an annual affair of some importance to
which everyone, from the County downwards, was bidden, and from which
very few absented themselves.

The Pouncefort entertainments were generally upon a lavish scale, were
also largely attended by the military element of Sandacre society, and
were invariably described in the local journals as "very smart affairs."

Had Chris been in her normal spirits she would have hailed the occasion
with delight. She knew a good many people in the neighbourhood, and she
was sure to meet all her friends there. It was, moreover, for this that
she had successfully angled for an invitation for Bertrand. But when the
day came she would have given a good deal for a legitimate excuse for
remaining at home. The weather was hot, and she felt weary and
disinclined for gaiety.

She said no word of her reluctance, however, for Bertrand had accepted
his inclusion in the invitation with docility, and since she had decided
that a little social change would be good for him, she would not draw
back herself lest he should be tempted to do likewise.

Bertrand was her chief thought just then. She knew that her husband was
dissatisfied with regard to his health, and undoubtedly he looked far
from well, though he himself invariably declared that it was only the
heat, and persistently refused to see a doctor. Not even Chris could
shake this resolution of his, and he was so distressed when Mordaunt
would not let him work that to keep him quiet Mordaunt was obliged to let
him do a little. He made it as little as he could, however, and Bertrand
spent a good deal of his time in the garden with Chris in consequence.

It certainly cheered her to have him, and for that reason he was the less
inclined to rebel against the edict that sent him there. They had begun
to read French together, Chris having developed a sudden keenness for the
language which he was delighted to encourage. That the original idea had
been devised for his pleasure he shrewdly suspected, but the carrying out
of it contributed undoubtedly to her own. It occupied her thoughts and
energies, and that was what she needed just then.

He knew perfectly well that she was as disinclined for social amusements
as he was himself, but the same motive that prompted her urged him also.
Each went with reluctance, but without protest.

Noel, who had achieved the most saintlike behaviour during the past week,
went also. He ma