ndoned herself to the plausive charm of Violet's
manner, and at different times she spoke of her flirtation, and told
many little incidents concerning it--what he had said to her, how she
had answered him, and how, the last time they had met, he had expressed
his sorrow at being unable to call to see her until the end of the week.

'He is shooting to-day at the Lawlers',' said Violet.

'That I'm sure he's not,' said Olive, with a triumphant toss of her fair
head; 'for I forbade him to go there.'

Violet smiled, and Olive insisted on an explanation being given.

'Well,' exclaimed the girl, more bluntly than she had yet spoken,
'because as we were coming here we saw him walking along one of the
covers. There were a lot of gentlemen, and, just fancy, that dreadful
woman, Mrs. Lawler, was with them, marching along, just like a man, and
a gun under her arm.'

'I don't believe you; you only say that to annoy me,' cried Olive,
trembling with passion.

'I am not in the habit of telling lies, and don't know why you should
think I care to annoy you,' Violet replied, a little too definitely;
and, unable to control her feelings any longer, Olive walked out of the
room. Barnes folded up and put away the dresses, and Alice sought for
words that would attenuate the unpleasantness of the scene. But Violet
was the quicker with her tongue, and she poured out her excuses. 'I am
so sorry,' she said, 'but how could I know that she objected to Captain
Hibbert's shooting at the Lawlers', or that he had promised her not to
go there? I am very sorry, indeed.'

'Oh I it doesn't matter,' said Alice hesitatingly. 'You know how
excitable Olive is. I don't think she cares more about Captain Hibbert
than anyone else; she was only a little piqued, you know--the surprise,
and she particularly dislikes the Lawlers. Of course, it is very
unpleasant for us to live so near without being able to visit them.'

'Yes, I understand. I am very sorry. Do you know where she is gone? I
shouldn't like to go away without seeing her.'

'I am afraid she has shut herself up in her room. Next time you meet,
she'll have forgotten all about it.'

Elated, but at the same time a little vexed, Violet followed Alice down
to the drawing-room.

'My dear child, what a time you have been! I thought you were never
coming downstairs again,' said Mrs. Scully. 'Now, my dear Mrs. Barton,
we really must. We shall meet again, if not before, at the Castle.'

Then stout mothe