window.

He had not heard their words, but he had seen Spotts's embrace, and
realised bitterly how little chance he stood against such a combination
of Apollo and Roscius.

The month which had intervened since his return to Blanford had not been
an altogether happy time for the Bishop's son. The pain of Miss
Arminster's refusal still rankled within him, and that young lady's
actions had not done much to soothe it. Had she comported herself with a
resigned melancholy, he could have borne his own sufferings with
fortitude. But, on the contrary, she had, he considered, flirted most
outrageously with Mr. Spotts. Indeed Cecil was already strongly of the
opinion that the actor was trying to succeed where he had failed--a
course of action which he thought quite justifiable on his,
Banborough's, part, but highly reprehensible on the part of any one
else. Matters had now culminated. Fate had brought the three together at
this inopportune moment, and as it was manifestly impossible not to say
something, Cecil laid himself out to be agreeable, and Miss Arminster,
who was naturally aware of the awkwardness of his position, did her best
to promote conversation, while Spotts almost immediately cut the Gordian
knot by excusing himself on the plea of looking after the lunch.

"Well," she said, "what's the latest news from Spain?"

"It seems to me that the war must be almost over," he replied. "Now that
Santiago's fallen, and Cervera's fleet's destroyed, Spain has no
alternative but to yield."

"Ah," she murmured, "then we'll be free once more."

"Has your exile been so irksome to you?" he asked.

"Oh," she returned, "I didn't mean it that way, really. Believe me, I'm
not ungrateful. Blanford's just sweet, and your father's an old dear."

"Yes," he retorted, laughing. "I notice you're doing your best to usurp
Mrs. Mackintosh's place in his affections."

"That's not from pique, it's from charity," she replied. "I've been
trying to rescue her from Jonah."

"I'm afraid my governor must be an awful bore," he said.

"Oh, but he's so sweet and simple with it all," she objected. "I'm
really growing to be awfully fond of him."

"I think he's growing to be awfully fond of _you_," said his son.

Miss Arminster laughed merrily.

"Don't you fancy me as a step-mamma?" she queried. "But, joking apart,
I'm afraid even Blanford would pall on me after a while. It isn't my
first visit here, you see. I was on a tour through these counties