te willing to allow this assurance to
pass current, as her Angel of Light was as yet neither alive nor
dead. But she was quite certain,--wholly certain,--that when the
Angel should come forth he would be superior to Lord George. The
first outpouring of all this took place in the carriage as Nina and
Ayala were driven from the station to the house, while the Colonel
went home alone in a dog-cart. It had been arranged that nothing
should be said to Ayala about the Colonel, and in the carriage the
Colonel's name was not mentioned. But when they were all in the
hall at Stalham, taking off their cloaks and depositing their wraps,
standing in front of the large fire, Colonel Stubbs was there. Lady
Albury was present also, welcoming her guests, and Sir Harry, who
had already come home from hunting, with one or two other men in red
coats and top breeches, and a small bevy of ladies who were staying
in the house. Lady Albury was anxious to know how her friend had
sped with Ayala, but at such a moment no question could be asked.
But Ayala's spirits were so high that Lady Albury was at a loss to
understand whether the whole thing had been settled by Jonathan with
success,--or whether, on the other hand, Ayala was so happy because
she had not been troubled by a word of love.

"He has behaved so badly, Lady Albury," said Ayala.

"What;--Stubbs?" asked Sir Harry, not quite understanding all the ins
and outs of the matter.

"Yes, Sir Harry. There was an old lady and an old gentleman. They
were very funny and he would laugh at them."

"I deny it," said the Colonel.

"Why shouldn't he laugh at them if they were funny?" asked Lady
Albury.

"He knew it would make me laugh out loud. I couldn't help myself, but
he could be as grave as a judge all the time. So he went till the old
woman scolded me dreadfully."

"But the old man took your part," said the Colonel.

"Yes;--he did. He said that I was ornamental."

"A decent and truth-speaking old gentleman," said one of the
sportsmen in top-boots.

"Quite so;--but then the old lady said that I was perverse, and
Colonel Stubbs took her part. If you had been there, Lady Albury, you
would have thought that he had been in earnest."

"So I was," said the Colonel.

All this was very pleasant to Ayala. It was a return to the old
joyousness when she had first discovered the delight of having such a
friend as Colonel Stubbs. Had he flattered her, paid her compliments,
been soft and delic