nd, save the ever-present Larpent, to relieve the monotony. No one
knew whither they were bound, or if the voyage were to be long or short.
He dropped out of his circle as a monkey drops from a tree, and beyond a
passing wonder at his movements no one questioned either motive or
intention. Probably he had neither in any appreciable degree. It was only
the caprice of the moment that ever moved him. So his friends said. He
evidently found his new toy attractive, and he would not return until he
wearied of it.

Meantime, the summer crowds came and went at Fairharbour. The Anchor
Hotel was crowded with visitors, and Sheila and her father began to talk
of departure for Scotland.

Jake had gone to an important race-meeting in the North, and it seemed
that Bunny's suggestion to show them the stud had been forgotten. But on
an afternoon in late August, after a hotly-contested polo match, as he
stood with a fizzling drink in his hand, talking to Sheila, she abruptly
reminded him of it.

"It's quite a fortnight since you promised to show me the horses," she
said.

He started. "Is it? I'm awfully sorry. I hadn't forgotten, but somehow
I've had a lot to think about lately. You must come and have tea with
Maud. When will you come?"

Sheila laughed a little. "Hadn't you better ask Maud first?"

"Good gracious, no!" said Bunny. "That'll be all right. She and Toby are
always at home just now, and of course she will be pleased to see you any
time. When can you come?"

"Well, we are leaving the day after to-morrow," Sheila said.

"To-morrow then!" said Bunny promptly.

"Your sister may not want us at such short notice," she said, hesitating.

"Oh, rats!" said Bunny, with a grin. "Of course she will! Have you seen
the Castle yet?"

"Yes. We lunched there with Lord Saltash before he left. It's a horribly
grim place. I didn't like it much."

"It's a magnificent place!" said Bunny stoutly. "It's completely thrown
away on Charlie of course, but I love every stone of it."

"What a pity it doesn't belong to you!" commented Sheila. "I wonder where
you will live when you are married."

Bunny flushed a little. "We're not marrying at present, but I'm hoping to
stick to my job when we do."

"Oh, are you? Does Miss Larpent like that idea?" Faint surprise sounded
in Sheila's tone.

"I don't know why she shouldn't," said Bunny, quick to detect it. "She's
keen on the country, keen on riding and so on. She'd hate to live in
town."