T MATTY IS CROSS.

Sir Hampton started as his eyes fell upon Trevor, and his pink
complexion began to grow red.

"Oh, Fin!" whispered Tiny, heedless of the admiring gaze of Vanleigh,
who now advanced; while after saluting Lady Rea, Landells turned to Fin.

"This is Mr Trevor, called to see us, dear," said Lady Rea.

"Er-rum!" went Sir Hampton, and he bristled visibly; but Trevor
approached with extended hand.

"Sir Hampton," he said, "I came to apologise for my very hasty behaviour
to you. I'm afraid I gave you a very bad opinion of your neighbour."

"Er-rum! I--er? I--er-rum," said and coughed Sir Hampton, hesitating;
but there was the hand of amity stretched out, and he was obliged to
take it--moving with great dignity, and looking at Trevor as if he had
just pardoned a malefactor for committing some heinous crime.

"Didn't 'spect to see; here," said Sir Felix, making play with his glass
at everybody in turn.

"The surprise is mutual," said Trevor.

"Odd coincidence," said Vanleigh, who had crossed now to Miss Matilda,
like a good diplomatist. "We were walking, after you ran away from us,
and met Sir Hampton."

"Er-rum--Mr Trevor," said Sir Hampton, pompously, "I am in your debt;
your friends here were kind enough to give my daughters and myself the
use of your carriage after a very--er-rum--narrow escape from a
terrible--er-rum--catastrophe. I am very much obliged."

"Don't name it, Sir Hampton, pray," said Trevor. "Out here in this
place, we are all obliged to rely upon one another for a little help. I
shall have to beg favours of you, some day, I hope."

"Er-rum--you are very good," said Sir Hampton, stiffly.

"Yes, Hampton, dear," said Lady Rea, "Mr Trevor is really very kind: he
has promised us a lot of those beautiful gladioli that you admired so
when you went over Penreife grounds."

Sir Hampton bowed to Trevor, and looked daggers at his wife, who glanced
then at Fin, as much as to say--"What have I done now!"

"A particularly fine specimen, I should say," Vanleigh was heard to
remark. "Do you think so?" said Miss Matilda.

"I should say perfectly pure," said Vanleigh, stooping to caress Pepine,
who snarled and tried to bite.

"Fie, Pepine, then!" said Miss Matilda. "Don't be afraid of him,
Captain Vanleigh."

"I am not," said Vanleigh, showing his white teeth, and taking the
terrier in his hands. "Look here, Landells, what should you say of this
dog?"

Sir Felix fixed his glas