Anne was already at the further end of the hall, but Nap overtook her before she entered the breakfast room.  He opened the door for her, and as she passed him she saw that he was still faintly smiling.

“Pardon the contretemps!” he said.  “You may have noticed before that I am not particularly good at swallowing insults.”

“I wonder if there was a cause for it,” she said, looking at him steadily.  “Remember, I know what your riding is like.”

He raised his eyebrows for a moment, then laughed.  The room they entered was empty.

“No one down yet!” he observed.  “Take a seat by the window.  What will you have?”

He attended to her wants and his own, and finally sat down facing her.  He seemed to be in excellent spirits.

“Please don’t look so severe!” he urged.  “Just as I am going to ask a favour of you, too!”

She smiled a little but not very willingly.  “I don’t like cruel people,” she said.  “Cruelty is a thing I can never forget because I abhor it so.”

“And are you never cruel?” said Nap.

“I hope not.”

“I hope not, too,” he rejoined, giving her a hard look.  “But I sometimes have my doubts.”

Anne looked out of the window in silence.

The sharp rapping of his knuckles on the table recalled her.  She turned, slightly startled, and met his imperious eyes.  He smiled at her.

“Queen Anne, I crave a boon.”

Almost involuntarily she returned his smile.  “So you said before.”

“And you don’t even ask what it is.”

“I am not quite sure that I want to know, Nap,” she said.

“You are not liking me this morning,” he observed.

She made no answer.

“What is it?” he said.  “Is it the mare?”

She hesitated.  “Perhaps, in part.”

“And the other part?” He leaned forward, looking at her keenly.  “Are you afraid of me, Anne?” he said.

His voice was free from reproach, yet her heart smote her.  She reminded herself of how he had once pleaded with her for her trust.

“I’m sorry I pressed the mare,” he said, “but it was quite as much her fault as mine.  Moreover, the cub exaggerated.  I will fetch him in and make him own it if you like.”

She stayed him with a gesture.  “No, don’t, please!  I think Bertie was probably in the right.”

“Do you, though?” Nap leaned back again, regarding her with supercilious attention.  “It’s rather—­daring of you to say so.”

“Do you really think I stand in awe of you?” she said.

“You are such a truly remarkable woman,” he made answer, “that I scarcely know what to think.  But since you are not afraid of me—­apparently, perhaps I may venture to come to the point.  Do you know I have been laying plans for a surprise picnic for you and—­one other?  It’s such a gorgeous day.  Don’t refuse!”

The boyish note she liked to hear sounded suddenly in his voice.  He discarded his cynicism and leaned towards her again, eager, persuasive.