ant I have felt so irresistibly drawn. I am unfortunate,
indeed. But you cannot be seriously angry. Give me a chance to redeem
myself, I implore you, Miss Montfort. See what a charming little cove
opens yonder, just opposite. Delightful to drift and dream for an hour,
in the company of one who understands--oh, very, very, very."

"I do not understand," said Margaret, "and I have no desire to do so,
Mr. Belleville. I beg you to take me ashore at once,--this moment."

"And if I were bold enough to delay obedience for a few moments? If I
felt confident that I could overcome this stern--"

"Gertrude," called Margaret, as the owner of the victorious
_Jollycumpop_ passed them with a triumphant greeting, "can you give us a
tow?"

"Certainly," said Gertrude. "Anything wrong?"

"On the contrary, dear cousin," said Claud, "I challenge you to a race."

And with a glance at Margaret, half reproachful, half mocking, he bent
to his oars, with the first sign of energy he had shown since his
arrival.

CHAPTER X.

PUPPY PLAY

"BELL, may I speak to you a moment?" said Margaret.

Bell looked up from a critical inspection of the _Tintinnabula_, which
had been somewhat injured in the race. "Certainly, May Margaret!" she
said. "Do you want to know why my poor boatie did not win? I have just
found out." Then, looking up, and seeing Margaret's disturbed face, she
rose instantly.

"Something is wrong?" she said, quickly. "Come this way, under the
trees, where it is quiet. You have had no bad news, dear?"

"Oh, no!" said Margaret. "But--Bell, I have something very disagreeable
to tell you. It seems terrible to say anything that may make trouble,
but nothing makes so much trouble as untruth, and I do think you ought
to know this. I don't think the _Jollycumpop_ really won the race!"

"My dear Margaret! she came in well ahead; didn't you see--"

"Listen, Bell!" and Margaret told in a few words the story of the
dropped oar.

Bell listened with keen attention, and when Margaret had finished,
whistled two bars of the Siegfried _motif_ very correctly before she
spoke.

"The little animal!" she said at last. "Well, Margaret, do you know, the
best thing to do, in my opinion, is--to say nothing about it, at
present."

"But--Bell! Gerald really won!"

"I know! but, even as it is, Jerry can hardly keep his hands off Claud.
My one prayer is that we may be able to get the boy off to-morrow
without an open quarrel breaking out.