ly
towards the white, swinging figure.

"We've fixed up your game all right, Peignton," the Squire informed him.
"Found a decent fellow at the club, who's keen to make up a foursome.
I think you can give him about two strokes. He's to meet us to-morrow
at ten o'clock. We ought to get in some good days before Saturday. Of
course when the fair Teresa arrives you'll want to knock off."

Grizel made an expressive grimace.

"Seeing that she is--_not_ his wife! Oh, matrimony, where are the
charms our mothers have seen in thy face? There ought to be a second
line to that.--La la la,--la la la, la la la _La_... since golf has
taken our place! I shall have a word to say in Teresa's ear."

"No use!" cried Peignton, laughing. "She's caught the fever herself.
No small player either. The first time I met her was on the golf links.
She won't have the usual plea of desertion, as we shall probably spend
our spare time playing together."

"Community of interests, eh?" The Squire made a wry face. "Very
idyllic, no doubt, but I'm not keen on a wife as a partner at golf.
Cassandra can't bit a ball to save her life, and I've always thought it
one of her chief virtues. Women are the deuce when they fancy
themselves at games. I gave up tennis parties for that very reason.
Never do more now than ask up three other fellows to make a four. Girls
are all very well in their place. I like girls, but I'd choose a man
every time when it comes to a game."

Grizel cocked her head at him with a challenging air.

"What do you bet I don't beat you hollow at croquet, before the clock
strikes seven?"

"Nothing! Ain't going to play."

"Oh, yes, you are," Grizel said coolly. "You've been amusing yourself
all day; now you are going to amuse me for a change. Croquet is about
the only game I _can_ play, and I have a fancy that it would do you good
to be beaten. Does anyone want any more tea? They can't have it if
they do, for there's none left. Anyway, you've all had three cups."
She held out her arm in mocking fashion. "Come along, and be
butchered!"

The Squire shrugged, and submitted.

"That's all right, Mrs Beverley. Delighted. Never said I objected to
other fellows' wives..."

They moved off round the corner of the house; Martin glanced after them,
yawned, and stretched his legs. In Grizel's absence he became very
conscious of his tired body, and the two hours which had still to elapse
before dinner assumed formidable