“She is very bold not to come when she is told,” said Marian.

“Yes, from your point of view,” said Elinor.  “I like bold children.”

Marmaduke was sulky and Marian serious for some time after this incident.  They recovered their spirits at dinner, when Marian related to Douglas how she had become reconciled to his mother.  Afterward, Marmaduke suggested a game at whist.

“Oh no, not on Sunday,” said Marian.  “Whist is too wicked.”

“Then what the dickens may we do?” said Marmaduke.  “May Nelly play ecarte with me?”

“Well, please dont play for money.  And dont sit close to the front window.”

“Come along, then, Nell.  You two may sing hymns, if you like.”

“I wish you could sing, Sholto,” said Marian.  “It is an age since we last had a game of chess together.  Do you still play?”

“Yes,” said Douglas; “I shall be delighted.  But I fear you will beat me now, as I suppose you have been practising with Mr. Conolly.”

“Playing with Ned!  No:  he hates chess.  He says it is a foolish expedient for making idle people believe they are doing something very clever when they are only wasting their time.  He actually grumbled about the price of the table and the pieces; but I insisted on having them, I suppose in remembrance of you.”

“It is kind of you to say that, Marian.  Will you have black or white?”

“White, please, unless you wish me to be always making moves with your men.”

“Now.  Will you move?”

“I think I had rather you began.  Remember our old conditions.  You are not to checkmate me in three moves; and you are not to take my queen.”

“Very well.  You may rely upon it I shall think more of my adversary than of my game.  Check.”

“Oh!  You have done it in three moves.  That is not fair.  I won’t play any more unless you take back that.”

“No, I assure you it is not checkmate.  My bishop should be at the other side for that.  There! of course, that will do.”

“What a noise Marmaduke makes over his cards!  I hope the people next door will not hear him swearing.”

“Impossible.  You must not move that knight:  it exposes your king.  Do you know, I think there is a great charm about this house.”

“Indeed?  Yes, it is a pretty house.”

“And this sunset hour makes it additionally so; Besides, it is inexpressibly sad to see you here, a perfectly happy and perfectly beautiful mistress of this romantic foreign home.”

“What do you mean, Sholto?”

“I call it a foreign home because, though it is yours, I have no part nor lot in it.  Remember, we are only playing at old times to-night.  Everything around, from the organ to the ring on your finger, reminds me that I am a stranger here.  It seems almost unkind of you to regret nothing whilst I am full of regrets.”

“Check,” said Marian.  “Mind your game, sir.”