nds, evidently
enjoying the newly-found heat.

Ruth waited upon him with a pretty deference, while Mollie chattered on
in her usual unabashed fashion. The old man appeared to pay no
attention, but he evidently listened more closely than he cared to
admit, for a casual mention of Margot Blount's name evoked a quick
glance and question--

"You all seem to speak of Lady Margot in a very familiar fashion; I have
not the pleasure of her acquaintance, but from all I have heard I should
not imagine she was inclined to make friendships lightly. You have met
her--how often? Once or twice?"

He looked at Mollie as he spoke, but Mollie deliberately avoided his
eyes, turning towards Victor in a marked manner, which left him no
choice but to reply. It was a mischievous impulse to avenge herself and
Ruth for his desertion of a few days before, and to discover the truth
about that secret meeting of which Margot herself had spoken. Her face
seemed solemnity itself to the casual observer, but as he looked at her
Jack choked suddenly over his tea, and hitched his chair in an opposite
direction. He would have laughed outright if he had looked one moment
longer. As for Victor, his dark eyes shot out a spark of annoyance,
just one; then he answered with smiling unconcern--

"Lady Margot and I are not quite strangers, sir; I met her in town a
good deal last year. We have some friends in common. It was only
renewing an acquaintance when we met again the other day."

"Indeed--indeed!" Mr Farrell looked unusually interested and alert.
"I am glad to hear that. The Blounts are some of the most important
people in the neighbourhood. In the old days there was a strong
friendship between the two families, which I should be pleased to see
renewed. You were introduced to the old people when you called at the
Moat, I presume?"

Here was a direct question which could not be avoided. Jack and Mollie
turned towards Victor with glances of elaborately veiled curiosity.
Ruth clattered the tea-cups together, carefully averting her eyes.
Anxious as she was to hear the reply, she hated the knowledge that
Victor was being placed in an awkward position,--hated the consciousness
that the others were enjoying the embarrassment.

The pause lasted but a moment; then Victor spoke in his most casual
tones--

"No; I have not seen them yet. I have run across Lady Margot once or
twice in my morning rides, and had the opportunity of a talk with her