would be a great many _tete-a-tetes_ in various
corners, or, if it were warm, in various punts. But she felt sure
that they would all hold hands in the intervals of these.

Jeannie and Victor had been married in the autumn, and since then
they had practically disappeared, surrounded by a glow of their own
happiness. They had sunk below the horizon, but from the horizon
there had, so to speak, come up a brilliant illumination like an
aurora borealis.

But Lady Nottingham considered that they had aurora-ed quite long
enough. They had no right to keep all their happiness to themselves;
it was their duty to diffuse it, and let other people warm their
hands and hearts at it. She had written what is diplomatically known
as a "strong note" to say so, and she had mentioned that she was not
alone in considering that they were being rather selfish. Tom
Lindfield thought so too. He openly averred that he was still
head-over-ears in love with Jeannie, and he wished to gratify his
passion by seeing her again, and having copious opportunities given
him of solitary talks with her. He did not object (this was all part
of the message that Lady Nottingham sent Jeannie from him) to
Victor's coming with her, but he would be obliged if Victor would
kindly make up his mind to efface himself a good deal. Otherwise he
had better stop away.

Tom proposed to come down to Bray for Easter, and would be much obliged
if Jeannie would come too. He did not ask her to set aside any other
engagements she might have, because he was perfectly well aware that she
had no other engagement than that tiresome and apparently permanent one
of burying herself in the country with Victor.

Jeannie received this letter at breakfast down at their house in
Hampshire. She read it aloud to her husband.

"What a darling he is," she said. "Victor, I shall go. I love that man."

"I know you do. He isn't a bad sort. Do you want me to come too?"

"Oh, I shan't go unless you do," said Jeannie, quickly.

"Right. It's a confounded nuisance, though, but I suppose you must. How
many days do you want to stop there?"

"Oh, till Tuesday or Wednesday, I suppose. Perhaps Tom would come back
with us here after that."

Victor got up and moved round the table, till he stood by his wife's
chair.

"No, I don't think he will," he said. "Fact is, Jeannie, I asked him
to come here a week or two ago, and he wrote me an awfully nice
letter back, but said he thought he wouldn't. I