and make up for the past by attending to Vanleigh and
Landells.

"I'll talk to Lady Rea about it--that's; how I'll manage," he said.
"She's a good, motherly soul, and will set me right, I'm sure. I know--
tell her I want advice and counsel; ask her to help me counteract Mrs
Lloyd's designs."

Trevor laughed over what he considered the depth of his plans, and after
dinner that night was in excellent spirits, losing thirty guineas to
Vanleigh in a cheery way that made Pratt shudder for his recklessness,
and bite his lips with annoyance at the cool manner in which the money
was swept up.

"By the way," said Trevor, as they sat smoking, "what do you say to a
sail to-morrow?--the yacht's in trim now, and the weather delightful."

"Thanks--no," said Vanleigh. "I don't think we can go, eh, Landells?"

"Jove!--no; drive, you know, with the old gentleman."

Trevor looked inquiringly from one to the other.

"Fact is," said Vanleigh, coolly, "Sir Hampton Rea has asked us to join
him in a little picnic excursion to the north coast--drive over, you
know, to-morrow. Yes, Thursday," he said, looking at his little
note-book--one which usually did duty for betting purposes--"Yes,
Thursday, and Friday we all dine there, of course."

"Yes, of course," said Trevor, in a quiet, constrained way, which made
Sir Felix, who had already felt rather hot and confused, colour like a
girl.

"Mustn't mind our running away from you so much, Trevor," continued
Vanleigh, with a smile, which the former felt carried a sneer, and an
allusion to his own playing of the absentee. "Fact is, the old
gentleman seems to be rather taken with Flick here."

"'Sure you, no," said Sir Felix, excitedly; "it's the other way, Trevor.
Makes no end of Van, showing him over grounds, asking 'vice, you know,
and that sort of thing."

"I am glad you find the place so much more agreeable than you expected,"
said Trevor, gravely.

"Never s' jolly in m' life, Trevor," said Sir Felix, excitedly, and
speaking nervously and fast. "Fine old fellow, S' Hampton. Fitting up
b'liard-room. 'L have game after come back."

"Take another cigar," said Trevor, and his voice was very deep, as he
seemed now to be exerting himself all that he could to make up for his
past neglect to those whom he had invited down as his friends.
"Vanleigh, you are taking nothing."

"I'm doing admirably, dear boy," said the captain, in the most
affectionate of tones; and then to himself--"