icture of contented,
successful married life.

Seeing their guest, they both came forward cordially, and George
Tuffnell smiled warm-heartedly as he took her hand.

"Well, Mrs. Milbanke, and what is Tuffnell like in daylight? Isn't it
worth a hundred Londons? Haven't you got an appetite for breakfast?"

Lady Diana laughed, as she led Clodagh to the table.

"George is a horrible egoist," she said cheerfully. "He thinks the only
things in the world worthy of consideration are Tuffnell--and the
Tuffnells."

Clodagh smiled as she took her seat.

"He is very much justified," she said softly. Then she glanced round
the table. "But where's Lady Frances?"

Her hostess smiled.

"Breakfasting in bed. I knocked at her door at seven to ask whether she
would care for a canter before breakfast, or whether she would like to
walk over to the home farm with George, but she literally drove me
away. She's out of sorts to-day. Poor Frances!"

"Oh, I am sorry!" Clodagh looked distressed. "Just to-day, when
everybody's coming!"

George Tuffnell turned to her with his habitual bluff kindliness.

"Don't trouble, Mrs. Milbanke!" he said. "She'll be all right by the
afternoon. It's the mornings that Society plays the deuce with. Look at
Di! Look what a country life has done for her!"

Clodagh looked almost shyly at her hostess's straight shoulders and
healthy, happy face.

"Don't make me more envious than I am!" she said gently. "Lady Diana
has everything."

With a sympathetic gesture, Lady Diana extended her hand, and touched
hers lightly.

"My dear," she said, "you have no reason to repine. And Tuffnell is to
bring you enjoyment, not regret. What amusement can we plan for the
morning, George?"

George Tuffnell looked up from the omelette to which he was helping
himself.

"What would Mrs. Milbanke like? You may do anything you like here, Mrs.
Milbanke--except be unhappy."

Clodagh smiled brightly.

"Anything?"

"Anything--in wisdom."

She hesitated for a moment, looking down at her plate; then, with a
quick, winning movement, she lifted her head, glancing from one of her
entertainers to the other.

"Then give me a horse," she said quickly, "and let me ride by myself
till lunch time."

Lady Diana looked distressed.

"What, alone?" she asked.

But her husband laughed cheerily.

"Why not--if she wishes? Tuffnell is Liberty Hall, Mrs. Milbanke. You
shall have the best horse in the stables."

Lady Diana smiled