. One of the courts was reserved for men's
fours, for Mrs Fanshawe believed in giving her guests what they liked,
and there is no doubt that men as a rule are ungallant enough to prefer
their own sex in outdoor games.

In the second court the younger girls took part in mixed fours, while
others sat about, or took part in lengthy croquet contests on the
furthest of the three lawns. Claire as a member of the house-party had
a good deal of time on her hands, and helped Mrs Fanshawe with the
entertainment of the older guests, who one and all eyed her with
speculative interest.

One thin, faded woman had spent a few years in Bombay and was roused to
interest by hearing that Claire's mother was now settled in that city.
Yes! she had met a Mr Judge. Robert Judge, was it not? Her husband
knew him quite well. He had dined at their house. Quite a dear man.
She had heard of his marriage, "but"--here came a look of
mystification--"to a _young_ wife; very pretty, very charming--"

Claire laughed, and held out a little coloured photograph in a round
glass frame which hung by a chain round her neck.

"That is my mother. She is thirty-nine, and looks thirty. And she is
prettier than that."

The faded lady looked, and sighed. Mrs Fanshawe brightened into vivid
interest. "You know Mr Judge, then? You have met him? That's quite
interesting. That's very interesting!" Claire realised with some
irritability that the fact that one of her own acquaintances knew and
approved, instantaneously raised Mr Judge in her hostess's estimation.
Hitherto he had been a name, a nobody; now he became a real man, "quite
a dear man," a man one could know! The result was satisfactory enough,
but Claire was irritated by the means. She was irritated also by the
subtle but very real change in her hostess's manner to herself in the
last twenty-four hours; irritated because the precious hours were
passing, and Erskine was surrounded by his guests, playing endless sets
on the hot lawn. He looked as though he were enjoying himself, too, and
that added to her annoyance, for like many another girl she had not yet
realised that a man can forget even his love in his whole-hearted
enjoyment of sport!

At tea-time, however, there was a lull when Erskine carried a chair to
Claire's side, and seated himself with an air of contentment. Once and
again as the meal progressed she saw his eyes rove around, and then come
back to dwell upon herself. She kn