“She deserved it,” said the Colonel judicially.  “But at the same time if there is any chance of what you suggest coming to pass, I have no wish to stand in the child’s way.  I have a fancy that she will find the bondage at home considerably more irksome after this taste of freedom.  It might, as you say, be a good thing for her if the little chap did fall in love with her.  Her mother can’t expect much of a match for her.”

“Oh, if that really happened, her mother would be charmed,” said Lady Grace.  “She is a queer, ill-balanced creature, and I don’t believe she has ever had the smallest affection for her.  She would be delighted to get her off her hands, I should say.  But things mustn’t move too quickly, or they may go in the wrong direction.”  Again her eyes sought her daughter’s graceful outline.  “You say Sir Eustace is rich?” she asked, after a moment.

“Extremely rich, I should say.  He has his own yacht, a house in town as well as a large place in the country, and he will probably get a seat in Parliament at the next election.  I’m not greatly taken with the man myself,” declared Colonel de Vigne.  “He is too overbearing.  At the same time,” again his eyes followed his wife’s, “he would no doubt be a considerable catch.”

“I don’t mean Dinah to have Sir Eustace,” said Lady Grace very decidedly.  “It would be most unsuitable.  Yes, what is it?” as a low knock came at the door.  “Come in!”

It opened, and Dinah, looking flushed and rather uncertain, made her appearance.

“I wish you would have the consideration not to disturb us at this hour, my dear Dinah,” said Lady Grace peevishly.  “What is it you want now?”

“I am sorry,” said Dinah meekly.  “But I heard your voices, so I knew you weren’t asleep.  I just came in to say that Billy and I are going luging if you don’t mind.”

“What next?” said Lady Grace, still fretful.  “Of course I don’t mind so long as you don’t get up to mischief.”

“Dinah, come here!” said the Colonel suddenly.

Dinah, on the point of beating a swift retreat, stood still with obvious reluctance.

“Come here!” he repeated.

She went to him hesitatingly.

He reached up a hand and grasped her by the arm.  “Were you eavesdropping just now?” he demanded.

Dinah started as if stung.  “I—­I—­of course I wasn’t!” she declared, with vehemence.  “How can you suggest such a thing?”

“Quite sure?” said the Colonel, still holding her.

She wrenched herself from him in a sudden fury.  “Colonel de Vigne, you—­you insult me!  I am not the sort that listens outside closed doors.  How dare you?  How dare you?”

She stamped her foot with the words, gazing down at him with blazing eyes.

The Colonel stiffened slightly, but he kept his temper.  “If I have done you an injustice, I apologize,” he said.  “You may go.”

And Dinah went like a whirlwind, banging the door behind her.