Miss Ross have gone?' he asked, as they
took their place.

'Mrs. Blake asked Miss Ross to show her the pond. They are waiting for
you to serve, Mr. Blake;' and then Cyril did consent to throw himself
into the game. Miss Fortescue was a good-looking girl, and played well,
but she was not Miss Ross; nevertheless, Cyril had no intention of
accepting a beating, and he was soon playing as brilliantly as ever.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Blake was talking after her usual rapid fashion.

'What beautiful grounds! and so tastefully laid out, too. I have never
seen such a garden. I do love this succession of terraces, and those
trees with white leaves just striped with pink--what do you call them,
Miss Ross?'

Audrey told her they were white maple.

'Dear me! Did Dr. Ross plant them? They do look so well against that
dark background of trees. Everything is in such perfect taste and order,
and Cyril says it is the same in the house. The Bryces' establishment
was not half so well regulated. He declares Dr. Ross has a master-mind,
and, now I have talked to him, I am quite sure Cyril is right.'

'You must not expect me to contradict you. I think there is no one like
my father.'

'I daresay not. He is charming--positively charming! So this is the pond
Kester and Mollie rave about? What a sweet little place--so still and so
retired! But of course you can see the house from it. Is not that your
cousin, Captain Burnett?'--as they came in sight of the bench. 'It is
very much like him.'

'Yes, of course it is Michael!' and Audrey quickened her steps in
surprise. 'My dear Michael, when did you get back? No one knows of your
arrival.'

'I daresay not,' he returned somewhat gravely, as he shook hands with
her and bowed to Mrs. Blake. 'I only got in half an hour ago, and,
having no mind to mingle with the crowd, I sat here to get cool.'

'Have you had some tea, Michael?'

'Oh yes; Parker brought me some. Never mind me. How have you been
getting on?' looking at her attentively.

'Oh, very well.' But Audrey blushed a little uneasily under that kind
look. 'Mrs. Blake, I believe you have not met my cousin before?'

'I think we have met, Audrey.'

'To be sure we have!' responded Mrs. Blake, with her brightest smile. 'I
am so glad of this opportunity of speaking to you, Captain Burnett. I
hope Miss Ross gave you my message?'

'I don't believe I have had any message--have I, Audrey?' And Audrey
laughed a little guiltily; she did not always re