ave betted upon him. Some of them were hoping to play for a deeper stake
than a pair of gloves. A staff, from which fluttered a gay little flag,
had been driven into the ground, exactly opposite the house; it was the
starting and the winning point. At a certain distance up the river, near
to the mill, a boat was moored in mid-stream: this they would row round,
and come back again.

At three o'clock they were to take the boats; and, allowing for time
being wasted in the start, might be in again and the race won in
three-quarters-of-an-hour. But, as is often the case, the time was not
adhered to; one hindrance after another occurred; there was a great deal
of laughing and joking, forgetting of things, and of getting into order;
and at a quarter to four they were not off. But all were ready at last,
and most of the rowers were each in his little cockle-shell. Lord
Hartledon lingered yet in the midst of the group of ladies, all clustered
together at one spot, who were keeping him with their many comments and
questions. Each wore the colours of her favourite: the crimson and purple
predominating, for they were those of their host. Lady Kirton displayed
her loyalty in a conspicuous manner. She had an old crimson gauze skirt
on, once a ball-dress, with ends of purple ribbon floating from it and
fluttering in the wind; and a purple head-dress with a crimson feather.
Maude, in a spirit of perversity, displayed a blue shoulder-knot, timidly
offered to her by a young Oxford man who was staying there, Mr. Shute;
and Anne Ashton wore the colours given her by Lord Hartledon.

"I can't stay; you'd keep me here all day: don't you see they are waiting
for me?" he laughingly cried, extricating himself from the throng. "Why,
Anne, my dear, is it you? How is it I did not see you before? Are you
here alone?"

She had not long joined the crowd, having come up late from the Rectory,
and had been standing outside, for she never put herself forward
anywhere. Lord Hartledon drew her arm within his own for a moment and
took her apart.

"Arthur came up with me: I don't know where he is now. Mamma was afraid
to venture, fearing the grass might be damp."

"And the Rector _of course_ would not countenance us by coming," said
Lord Hartledon, with a laugh. "I remember his prejudices against boating
of old."

"He is coming to dinner."

"As you all are; Arthur also to-day. I made the doctor promise that. A
jolly banquet we'll have, too, and toast