o you do, Lord Dymchurch! I came early, to lunch with Lady
Honeybourne and some of her actors. We have been getting on together
splendidly. Let us settle our places. Mrs. Toplady may be a little
late; we must keep a chair for her. Which do you prefer?--Isn't it
admirably managed? This big tree will give shade all the time. Suppose
we take these chairs? Of course we needn't sit down at once. Put your
cane across two, and I'll tie my handkerchief on the third. There! Now
we're safe.--Did you ever see an open-air play before? Charming idea,
isn't it? You don't know Lady Honeybourne very well, I think? Oh, she's
very bright, and has lots of ideas. I think we shall be real friends.
She must come down to Rivenoak in August."

"I'm sorry," interposed Dymchurch, as soon as there came a pause, "that
Lady Ogram had to leave town so soon."

"Oh, it was too much for her. I advised her very seriously, as soon as
she began to feel exhausted, not to stay another day. Indeed, I
couldn't have allowed it; I'm convinced it was dangerous, in her state
of health. I hear from her that she is already much better. Rivenoak is
such a delightfully quiet place, and such excellent air. Did you see a
report of Mr. Lashmar's speech? Rather good, I thought. Perhaps just a
little too vague: the fault I hoped he would avoid. But of course it's
very difficult to adapt oneself all at once to electioneering
necessities. Mr. Lashmar is theoretical; of course that is his strong
point."

Dymchurch listened with an air of respectful, though smiling,
attention. The girl amused him more than ever. Really, she had such a
pleasant voice that her limitless flow of words might well be pardoned,
even enjoyed.

"Lady Honeybourne and I have been talking about the condition of the
poor. She has capital ideas, but not much experience. Of course I am
able to speak with some authority: I saw so much of the poor at
Northampton."

Once or twice Dymchurch had heard mention of Northampton in May's talk,
but his extreme discretion had withheld him from putting a question on
the subject. Catching his look, she saw inquiry in it.

"You know that I lived at Northampton, before I made my home at
Rivenoak? Oh, I thought that I had told you all about that."

Acting on her aunt's counsel, approved by Mrs. Toplady, May was careful
not to let it be perceived by casual acquaintances that, until a month
ago, she had been an absolute stranger to her titled relative. At the
same t