as a woman of rare presence of mind. She addressed
the departing guest quite softly, with no signs of flurry, but with a
new note of graciousness. Jacob paused upon the threshold.

"Mr. Pratt," she invited, "won't you come and dine with us one
evening? I know how men hate afternoon calls. Next Thursday night, at
eight o'clock?"

"Do come," Lady Mary begged, still grasping her notes.

"Very glad to see you, Mr. Pratt," the Marquis added, with a little
bow which was a model of deportment.

Felixstowe walked down the wooden stairs with his departing guest, who
had murmured his grateful acceptance.

"You've hit it up all right with the old folks at home," he confided.
"Between you and me, that forty-five quid is about the only ready
there is in the house. Bet you they're snaffling it at the present
moment. What a life it must be to have plenty of the dibs, Jacob! So
long, old bean. See you Thursday. Hullo, what's that?"

The two men looked back up the wooden staircase. Lady Mary was slowly
descending towards them.

"I am to be taken for a walk," she announced sedately, "on the lawn,
if possible. And if either of you feel inclined to save the life of a
young girl, perhaps you will give her something cool to drink."

Jacob hesitated for a moment, but Lady Mary's smile so obviously
included him that he ventured to remain. They crossed the lawn and
found an empty table within hearing of the band. Jacob ordered
strawberries and cream, ice cream and champagne cup with reckless
prodigality. The girl laughed softly.

"How deliciously greedy it all sounds," she murmured, "and how much
nicer this is than that stuffy box!--Jack!"

Felixstowe, however, was on his feet, waving to some one in the
distance.

"There's Nat Pooley!" he exclaimed. "Knows every winner to a cert.
I've been looking for him all day. Look after my sister, Pratt, old
thing."

He dived into the crowd and disappeared. Lady Mary smiled at her
companion.

"I am foist upon you, Mr. Pratt," she said.

"I am very much the gainer," he assured her. "I was feeling unusually
lonely when I met your brother."

"Well, I've had rather a stuffy time of it myself," she acknowledged.
"You see, I have on a new dress, and mother was afraid it was going to
rain. And then Jack deserted us, and there was no one for me to come
out with. How do you like my frock, Mr. Pratt?"

"I think you look nicer than any one I've seen here," Jacob replied
sincerely.

She laughed