Mary had condescended to join the chase.

"Fresh air is a tonic. With so much mental exercise on hand I
considered it would be a saving of time to spend a day in the open," she
said confidentially to Dreda, as she polished her glasses on a large
pocket-handkerchief, and replaced them over the red rim on her nose.
Dreda sidled carefully away from her side, and when the moment came for
the start, was delighted to find Guy Seton riding determinedly by her
side.

"I thought you would be on horseback," she said, then looking at him
with faintly curious eyes: "Why aren't you, when you have a horse all
ready? It's so _much_ more interesting than bicycling."

"Sometimes," said Guy, smiling. He waited a moment or two, and then
added tentatively: "If you are fond of riding, and would accept a mount
sometimes, I'd be delighted to give you one. Our horses have not half
enough exercise. I've a nice quiet mare--"

"Oh, thanks, but give me spirit! None of your quiet mares for me. But
I am at school; there's no chance for a free day for another three
months. This is only the exeat; we go back to-morrow, worse luck!"

"To-morrow! That's very soon. I'm glad I arranged the chase for to-
day. You are at Horsham, aren't you?"

Dreda turned her head quickly.

"Yes! Who told you?"

"Your sister. The young one--the one who is here to-day."

"Oh, Maud! Did she come into the drawing-room with Rowena yesterday?"

"Before then. She amused me after you left until Miss Saxon arrived."

"Oh-h!" Dreda's face clouded uneasily. How had Maud amused him? What
had she said? In what fashion had she managed to prejudice Rowena
against so amiable and kindly a neighbour, for she had now not a
moment's doubt that Maud was the cause of the trouble. She determined
to put a few leading questions.

"What else did she tell you? She's a dreadful child. We never know
what she is going to say next. I don't believe she knows herself. What
did she say?"

"Oh, nothing particular! G-general information--don't you know--general
information," stammered Guy Seton uncomfortably. But Dreda was not to
be put off the scent. She stared at him fixedly, noted his rising
colour, and nodded in quiet conviction.

"I know! I can guess one thing at least. She told you we were
_rejuiced_."

"I--I--" he began to stammer again, but the corners of his mouth
twitched, and the next moment they were laughing together in hearty,
youthful enjoyment