uld not let me put on a
single thing. There now, Algy has joined her," continued Mrs. Pratt, her
attention quickly diverted from her own wrongs. "Now they are walking on
together. How nice he looks in those beautiful clothes. Algy and Lord
Newhaven and Mr. Loftus all have the same look, haven't they? All
friends together, as I often say, such a mercy among county people. You
might walk a little with Lord Newhaven, Ada. It's unaccountable how
seldom we see him, but always so pleasant when we do. Ah! he's speaking
to Rachel West. They are going to the tents, after all. Well, whatever
you may say, I do think we ought to go and buy something, too. Papa says
he won't put his hand in his pocket if the Loftuses are to get all the
credit, and we ought to have had the choice of having the sale at the
Towers, so he sha'n't do anything; but I think it would be nice if we
went and bought a little something. Just a five-pound note. You shall
spend it, my dear, if you like."

* * * * *

"This is sheer recklessness," said Lord Newhaven, as Rachel bought an
expensive tea-cosey from Fraeulein. "In these days of death-duties you
cannot possess four teapots, and you have already bought three teapot
costumes."

"That is what I am here for," said Rachel, producing a check-book. "How
much did you say, Fraeulein?"

"Twenty-seven and seex," said Fraeulein.

"Now I see it in the full light, I have taken a fancy to it myself,"
said Lord Newhaven. "I never saw anything the least like it. I don't
think I can allow you to appropriate it, Miss West. You are sweeping up
all the best things."

"I have a verr' pretty thing for gentlemen," said Fraeulein. "Herr
B-r-r-rown has just bought one."

"Very elaborate, indeed. Bible-markers, I presume? Oh, braces! Never
mind, they will be equally useful to me. I'll have them. Now for the
tea-cosey. It is under-priced. I consider that, with the chenille
swallow, it is worth thirty shillings. I will give thirty for it."

"Thirty-two and six," said Rachel.

"The landed interest is not going to be browbeaten by coal-mines.
Thirty-three and twopence."

"Forty shillings," said Rachel.

"Forty-two," said Lord Newhaven.

Every one in the tent had turned to watch the bidding.

"Forty-two and six," said Rachel.

Fraeulein blushed. She had worked the tea-cosey. It was to her a sonata
in red plush.

"Three guineas," said Captain Pratt, by an infallible instinct,
perceivin