humble youth so very
unlike----"

"Mr. Dalroyd!" said the Major thoughtfully.

My lady started, the rosebud fell from relaxed fingers and she glanced
up with a look in her eyes that might have been mistaken for sudden
fear.

"Why--why do you name--him?" she questioned dully; but before he could
answer came a knock at the door and Mrs. Agatha appeared to say that
"tea was a-drinking on the terrace!"

They found Lady Belinda seated on the terrace before a tea equipage
with Mrs. Agatha and a footman in attendance while beside her sat the
Viscount, one arm in a sling, dutifully sipping a dish of tea and
making wry faces over it.

"Gad love me, 'tis the washiest stuff!" he sighed.

"O dear Major, hark to the naughty wanton!" cried Lady Belinda as the
Major bowed over her hand, "First he nigh breaks his neck knocking at
fences and now miscalleth tea!"

"Knocks at fences, aunt?"

"Truly, he tells me his horse budged, took off something or other, was
very short about it, knocked at a fence and fell--which is not to be
wondered at."

"Faith, Viscount," said Mr. Marchdale looking puzzled "'tis a fierce
and dangerous beast that grey o' yours but I don't quite see----"

"Nay," smiled the Viscount, "'twas that stiffish fence beyond
Meadowbrook Bottom--the Colonel put his Arab at it and cleared but my
grey balked, took off short, rapped, came down on his head and I came
by a sprained arm and shoulder."

"'Twas all that Colonel Cleeve's fault, I dare swear," cried Lady
Belinda, "he's a wild soul, I fear!"

"On the contrary, Aunt Belinda, he's a very noble fellow. And he bade
me be sure carry you his humble duty." Here Lady Belinda blushed quite
becomingly and perceiving the Viscount had contrived to swallow his
tea, forthwith filled him more despite his expostulations.

"Drink it, Pancras," she commanded, "'tis soothing and sedative and
good for everything--see how healthy the Chinamen are--so polite too
and placid, I vow!"

"I'd no idea, mam," said the Major, "no idea that you and my old friend
George were acquaint."

"It happened yesterday sir, in Sevenoaks, Sir Benjamin made us known."

"Talking of the Colonel," said Mr. Marchdale, "the village is all agog
over the soldiers--they searched your house as well as my lady's I
understand, sir?"

"They did!" nodded the Major.

"Consequently everybody is wondering what i' the world they wanted."

"Why Charles for sure!" answered Lady Betty, "they seemed to thi