* * * *

The starting-gun had boomed--communicating the usual thrill and sudden
ripple of talk through the crowded barges.

"Now they're off!"

Lady Laura, Nelly, and "the babes" hung over the railing of the barge,
looking excitedly for the first nose of a boat coming round the bend.
Falloden, between the two fair-haired Miss Mansons, manoeuvred them and
himself into a position at the rear where he could both see and be seen
by the party on the Christ Church barge, amid which a certain large
white hat with waving feathers shone conspicuous. The two girls between
whom he stood, who had never found him in the least accessible before,
were proud to be seen with him, and delighted to try their smiles on
him. They knew he was soon going down, and they had visions of dancing
with him in London, of finding an acquaintance, perhaps even a friend,
at last, in those chilly London drawing-rooms, before which, if their
mother knew no such weakness, they often shivered.

Falloden looked down upon them with a half sarcastic, half benignant
patronage, and made himself quite agreeable. From the barge next door,
indeed, the Manson and Falloden parties appeared to be on the most
intimate terms. Mrs. Manson, doing the honours of the college boat,
flattering Lady Laura, gracious to the children, and glancing every now
and then at her two girls and their handsome companion, was enjoying a
crowded and successful moment.

But she too was aware of the tall girl in white on the neighbouring
deck, and she turned enquiringly to Falloden.

"Do you know who she is?"

"The Risboroughs' daughter--Lady Constance Bledlow." Mrs. Manson's
eyebrows went up.

"Indeed! Of course I knew her parents intimately! Where is she staying?"

Falloden briefly explained.

"But how very interesting! I must call upon her at once. But--I scarcely
know the Hoopers!"

Falloden hung over the barge rail, and smiled unseen.

"Here they come!--here they come!" shouted the children, laying violent
hands on Falloden that he might identify the boats for them.

Up rolled a mighty roar from the lower reaches of the river as the boats
came in sight, "Univ" leading; and the crowd of running and shouting men
came rushing along the towing-path. "Univ" was gallantly "bumped" in
front of its own barge, and Magdalen went head of the river. A delirious
twenty minutes followed. Bump crashed on bump. The river in all its
visible length flashed with th