s. Blake's voice or manner. Now and then there
might be a slight flush, an involuntary movement of the well-gloved
hands, a quick start or turn of the head, if anyone suddenly addressed
her; but no one would have noticed these little symptoms.

'Your mother seems to be enjoying herself,' observed Audrey, as she
joined Cyril and they walked across the lawn together.

'Yes,' he returned, with a pleased look; 'she is quite happy.'

'Let us sit where we can see my son and Miss Ross play!' exclaimed Mrs.
Blake, rising as she spoke. 'Look! there are chairs on that side of the
lawn. What a well-matched couple they are!--both play so well. Miss Ross
is not as handsome as her sister--Mrs. Harcourt is an exceedingly fine
young woman, and one seldom sees such a complexion in the present
day--but, in my humble opinion, Miss Ross is far more charming.'

'Do you think so? We are all very fond of Geraldine, and--oh yes, Audrey
is very nice too,' returned Miss Fortescue a little absently. She was
considered handsome herself, and it struck her with some degree of
wonderment that the afternoon was half over and Mr. Blake had not asked
her to play tennis.

CHAPTER XIV

'I AM SORRY YOU ASKED THE QUESTION'

'Thou must not be hurt at a well-meaning friend, though he shake
thee somewhat roughly by the shoulder to awake thee.'

_Quentin Durward._

Half an hour later Audrey had finished her game, and had resisted all
her partner's pleadings to give their opponents their revenge. She might
feel tempted--Mr. Blake played so splendidly--but she knew her duty to
her guests better than that.

'You must get another partner,' she said, with something of her sister's
decision. 'Here is Miss Fortescue; she has been sitting out a long time,
and she is a very good player. Gertrude'--raising her voice--'Mr. Blake
wants a partner. I am sure you will take pity on him.' And in this
manner Gertrude obtained her wish.

Perhaps she would rather have had her desire gratified in a different
manner--if Mr. Blake had asked her himself, for example. She was not
quite pleased at the tone in which he professed himself delighted to
play with Miss Fortescue; he fetched her racket a little reluctantly,
when Audrey pointed it out, and there was certainly no enthusiasm
visible in his manner as he suggested that Miss Cardell and her partner
were waiting for them.

'Do you know where my mother and