ady. Mollie must not presume on your kindness;'
and then he took up his racket.

'Why are you leaving us so early, Mr. Blake? There is surely time for
another game?'

'Thanks; I must not stop any longer now. My mother asked me to take her
for a walk, and, as Kester can do without me this evening, I promised
that I would.'

'And you will take Mollie? There is such a pretty walk across the fields
to Everdeen Wood, if Mrs. Blake does not mind a few stiles. Mollie will
not, I am sure.'

'I think Mollie will prefer to stay with Kester,' he replied quickly. 'I
am sorry to leave so early, Miss Ross, but one does not like to
disappoint other people.'

'I begin to think you are one of the unselfish ones,' thought Audrey, as
she gave him her hand. Then aloud: 'You must come to us next Monday, Mr.
Blake, for I am sure my brother-in-law will want his revenge. Oh, there
is Booty, so of course his master is not far off. I will go and meet
him.'

Then she nodded to Cyril, and turned off into a side-path just as
Captain Burnett came in sight.

'Are they still playing, Michael?'

'No. Harcourt wants to be off; he and Gage are to dine at the
Fortescues', so they have agreed to break up earlier. Why is Blake
leaving us so soon? Your father proposed that he should be asked to
dinner.'

'I don't think he would be persuaded,' she replied, wishing that she had
not taken him so easily at his word. 'He has promised to take his mother
for a walk. He is really a very good son. Most young men care only about
their own pleasure.'

'I think I like him,' returned Michael, in his slow, considering tone.
'We had a smoke together yesterday up in my room, and I confess he
interested me. He seems to feel his responsibility so with respect to
that poor boy. He was very grateful to me for my proposed help, and said
so in a frank, manly fashion that somehow pleased me.'

'I am so glad you like him, Michael!' and Audrey's tone expressed
decided pleasure.

'Oh, we shall hit it off very well, I expect; but I daresay we shall not
see very much of each other. He goes in for cricket, and makes
tremendous scores, I hear, and the Hill houses will soon monopolise him.
He is too good-looking a fellow not to be a favourite with the
ladies--eh, Audrey?'

'I am sure I don't know,' returned Audrey, who could be a trifle dense
when she chose. 'I do not think Mr. Blake is a lady's man, if that is
what you mean. Don't you detest the genus, Michael?'

'Do