ct; she took a rapid decision and turned persuasively
to Crimble--for whom, in like manner, there must have been something in
_her_ face. "Let Mr. Bender himself then show you. And there are things
in the library too."

"Oh yes, there are things in the library." Lord John, happy in his
gained advantage and addressing Hugh from the strong ground of an
initiation already complete, quite sped him on the way.

Hugh clearly made no attempt to veil the penetration with which he was
moved to look from one of these counsellors to the other, though with a
ready "Thank-you!" for Lady Grace he the next instant started in pursuit
of Mr. Bender.

V

"Your friend seems remarkably hot!" Lord John remarked to his young
hostess as soon as they had been left together.

"He has cycled twenty miles. And indeed," she smiled, "he does appear to
care for what he cares for!"

Her companion then, during a moment's silence, might have been noting
the emphasis of her assent. "Have you known him long?"

"No--not long."

"Nor seen him often?"

"Only once--till now."

"Oh!" said Lord John with another pause. But he soon proceeded. "Let us
leave him then to cool! I haven't cycled twenty miles, but I've motored
forty very much in the hope of _this_, Lady Grace--the chance of being
able to assure you that I too care very much for what I care for." To
which he added on an easier note, as to carry off a slight awkwardness
while she only waited: "You certainly mustn't let yourself--between us
all--be worked to death."

"Oh, such days as this--I" She made light enough of her burden.

"They don't come often to _me_ at least, Lady Grace! I hadn't grasped
in advance the scale of your fete," he went on; "but since I've the
great luck to find you alone--!" He paused for breath, however, before
the full sequence.

She helped him out as through common kindness, but it was a trifle
colourless. "Alone or in company, Lord John, I'm always very glad to see
you."

"Then that assurance helps me to wonder if you don't perhaps gently
guess what it is I want to say." This time indeed she left him to
his wonder, so that he had to support himself. "I've tried, all
considerately--these three months--to let you see for yourself how
I feel. I feel very strongly, Lady Grace; so that at last"--and his
impatient sincerity took after another instant the jump--"well, I
regularly worship you. You're my absolute ideal. I think of you the
whole time."

She