, sharply, as though
startled. Sheila was looking at her oddly, very intently, a species of
puzzled recognition in her eyes.

Toby backed away from her, half-laughing, yet with something that was not
laughter on her face. "What can be the matter?" she said. "Is it--is it
my riding breeches? Here, Bunny! Let me have my coat!" She turned swiftly
with extended arms. "Quick! Before Miss Melrose faints! I've given her
the shock of her life."

"No! No!" protested Sheila, recovering. "Don't be absurd! You reminded me
so vividly of someone, that's all. I don't quite know who even yet."

Bunny helped Toby into the coat without a word. There was grim
displeasure on his face. The General and Saltash were talking together
and for the moment they three stood there alone.

Toby turned round laughing. "How ridiculous you are!" she said to Bunny.
"You've seen me in this get-up heaps of times before--and will again.
Miss Melrose, I forgot you hadn't. I'm horribly sorry to have shocked
you. Shall we go in for tea now?"

The puzzled look was still in Sheila's eyes though she smiled in answer.
"I am not shocked--of course," she said. "But--but--"

"Yes?" said Toby.

She spoke in the same brief, staccato note; the word was like a
challenge. Saltash turned suddenly round.

"I have just been complimenting Miss Larpent on the excellence of her
get-up," he said lightly. "We met at the gate on the downs, and I have
been witnessing some very pretty horsemanship. Miss Melrose, I hear you
are leaving tomorrow, and am quite desolated in consequence. It is always
my luck to be left behind."

The hard little smile that only he could ever provoke was on Sheila's
lips as she turned to him.

"For such a rapid rider, you are indeed unfortunate," she said.

He laughed with careless effrontery. "Yes, the devil usually takes the
hindmost,--so I've been told. Miss Larpent anyway is quite safe, for she
will always be an easy first."

"There is such a thing as going too fast," commented Bunny.

"There is such a thing as getting away altogether," flung back Toby with
spirit.

Bunny's eyes flashed into sudden, ominous flame. He could not have said
why the contrast between the two girls--the one in her dainty summer
attire and the other in her boyish riding-kit--had such an effect upon
him, but for the moment it almost infuriated him.

Toby saw it, and her own eyes lit in response. She stood waiting for his
rejoinder--the spirit of mischief inca