“I’m glad to hear it,” he said; and, after a moment, “I hope you will spend it profitably.”

“Oh, yes.”  Eagerly she made reply.  “I’ve bought a new collar for Cinders—­such a beauty, with bells!  I thought it would be so useful if he went rabbiting.”

“What!  To warn the rabbits?”

“Oh, no!  I never thought of that!  Poor Cinders!  It would spoil his sport, wouldn’t it?  And he’s such a sportsman.  I suppose I shall have to keep it for Sundays after all.  What a pity!  I thought it would help us to find him if he got lost.”

“But he always turns up again,” said Mordaunt consolingly.

Her blue eyes flashed their sunshine.  “Yes, yes, of course.  And another thing I did which ought to please you very much.”

The indulgence turned to approval on Mordaunt’s face.  “I can guess what that was,” he said.

“Can you?” Chris looked delighted.  “Well, you mustn’t tell Aunt Philippa, because she would call it shocking extravagance, and I really only did it to please you.”

“Oh!  Then I am afraid I haven’t guessed right.”  Mordaunt’s expression became one of grave doubt.

Chris laughed aloud.  “You will have to guess again.  No, please go on dancing.  One only gets hotter standing still.”

“But, Chris,” he said, “I want to know.”

His tone was perfectly kind, as gentle as it always was when he addressed her, and yet the quick glance that she threw him was not without a hint of misgiving.  The slender young body stiffened ever so slightly against his arm.

“I wonder if Bertie has found a partner,” she said.  “Do you think we ought to go and see?”

He guided her towards the entrance.  A good many people were standing about, and one after another accosted Chris. She answered blithely enough, her hand still upon her fiance’s arm, but yet there was that about her that made him aware that she was not wholly at her ease.  When he drew her towards a room beyond that led to a conservatory, she hung back.

“I want to find Bertie.  Where is he?”

Jack Forest appeared at that moment, and she turned to him with evident relief.  “Oh, Jack, where is Mr. Bertrand?  I told Max to hand him over to you.  He knows no one, and I do want him to have a good time.”

“Be easy, my child,” said Jack, with a cheery grin.  “He is having the time of his life.  The mater has taken him under her wing.”

“Jack!” Chris stood aghast.

“Don’t agitate yourself,” said Jack.  “It’s all serene.  He is thoroughly enjoying himself.  Where are you two off to?  Going to sit out in the dark?  Shall I come and mount guard?”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous!” protested Chris.  “Jack, remember our dance is the next.”

Jack bowed with his hand on his heart.  “I don’t forget such things.  Make the most of your time, Trevor.  It’s nearly up.”

He departed with a careless swagger, and Chris turned to her quiet companion and gave a little shiver.  “Why did we leave off dancing?  I’m cold.”