in love with Lord
Saltash?" she said.

"No, not now. She just takes a motherly interest in him, tries to
persuade him to settle down and be good--that sort of thing. I believe
she feels rather responsible for him. He certainly bolted very thoroughly
after she gave him up. It's all years ago of course. But he's never
settled--never will."

"I see," said Toby.

A slight shiver went through her, and she looked up at Bunny with a
small, pinched smile. "Fancy--Maud--giving him up!" she said.

"Well, she always had her share of pride, and he certainly didn't treat
her with great consideration. He might have known she'd never stand it,"
said Bunny. "He only had himself to thank."

Toby's look was puzzled, oddly pathetic. "But he's such a king," she
said. "I don't suppose he'd ever think of that."

Again Bunny's arm tightened about the narrow shoulders. There was
something about her that appealed to him very deeply, something he sensed
rather than saw.

"Haven't we talked about other people's affairs long enough now?" he
suggested. "Don't you think we might turn our attention to our own?"

She coloured up to her blue-veined forehead. "If you like," she said
rather faintly.

"Don't you think I deserve that kiss?" urged Bunny softly. "I've been
awfully patient."

She lifted her lips with a gesture of submission, saying no word.

"Oh, not like that!" he said gently. "Not if you'd rather not, dear."

She caught her breath sharply; it was almost a sob. Then she opened her
eyes wide and laughed.

"Oh, you great big silly!" she said. "You're easier to draw than anyone I
ever met!"

His arms clasped her. He drew her close. "My own little butterfly girl!"
he said, and kissed her very tenderly. "I've caught you at last--at
last."

She laid her head against his neck, and stood so, quivering a little and
silent.

"You're tired," he said. "I'll give you a lift towards home. Folly will
carry you all right."

She uttered a tremulous laugh, and lifting her face she kissed him of her
own accord.

"You're--awful good to me, Bunny dear," she said. "P'raps--p'raps I'll be
engaged to you soon."

"You darling!" said Bunny fervently.

CHAPTER V

THE CONFIDENCE

A letter with the crest of a fox's head and the motto, _Sans Vertu_, upon
the back lay beside Maud's plate on the following morning. She took it up
with a smile at Jake who had just entered the room.

"From Charlie--probably about the new yacht. He tol