“I think Miss Waring was waiting for me,” he said.  “Will you let me lean on you, Miss Waring?  Steps are always a difficulty to me.”

“Of course,” she said eagerly.  “Do lean hard!”

It occurred to her afterwards that the valet’s assistance would have been more effectual than hers, and at the top of the steps she glanced back at him.  He was immediately behind them, laden with some things he had taken from the car.  His eyes, as he ascended, were fixed upon Nap, and a curious little thrill of sympathy ran through Dot as she realised that she was not the only person who hated him.

As they passed into the great entrance-hall Bertie came springing up behind them.  “I say, can’t we have tea here before you go up to see Lady Carfax?  It’s the cosiest place in the whole house.”

A huge fire burned on an open hearth, about which a deep lounge and several easy-chairs were arrayed.

“That will be O.K.,” said Lucas.  “Fix me up on the settee, Nap.”

“You had better go and rest in your room,” said Nap.  “Bertie and Miss Waring are accustomed to entertaining each other.”

Again Dot felt the sting—­this time a tangible one—­in his words.  He was evidently in a stinging mood.

She drew back quickly.  “I would rather go straight up to Lady Carfax if I may.”

“Oh, I say, don’t!” thrust in Bertie with a quick frown.  “Lucas, you’ll stay, won’t you, and have tea with us here?”

“That is my intention,” said Lucas, “if Miss Waring will give us the pleasure of her company.”

And Dot, though she longed to escape, went forward with him into the glow of the firelight.

She hoped earnestly that Nap would depart, but for some reason Nap was minded to remain.  He settled his brother on the cushions and then flung himself into a chair on the other side of the fire.  Dot was aware without looking at him that he had her under observation; she felt the scrutiny she could not see, and knew it was malevolent.

Bertie evidently knew it too, for he was scowling savagely in a fashion quite unfamiliar to her.  He placed a chair for her close to Lucas.

“I guess we must ask you to do the honours, Miss Waring,” the latter said.  “My mother must be with Lady Carfax.”

“Here’s an opportunity for Miss Waring to display her charms!” gibed Nap.  “But doubtless Bertie has been initiated in the arts and wiles of tea-making long before this.  It’s a bewitching performance, eh, Bertie?”

Bertie growled something unintelligible and turned his back.

“Give him plenty of sugar, Miss Waring,” recommended Nap.  “He’s remarkably guileless.  With a little patience and subtlety on your part he’ll soon come and feed out of your hand.  After that, a little feminine persuasion is all that is required to entice the pretty bird into the cage.  He’s quite a fine specimen; such a lot of gold about him, too!  It would be a pity to let him escape.  There are not many of his sort, I assure you.”