Toby’s look was puzzled, oddly pathetic.  “But he’s such a king,” she said.  “I don’t suppose he’d ever think of that.”

Again Bunny’s arm tightened about the narrow shoulders.  There was something about her that appealed to him very deeply, something he sensed rather than saw.

“Haven’t we talked about other people’s affairs long enough now?” he suggested.  “Don’t you think we might turn our attention to our own?”

She coloured up to her blue-veined forehead.  “If you like,” she said rather faintly.

“Don’t you think I deserve that kiss?” urged Bunny softly.  “I’ve been awfully patient.”

She lifted her lips with a gesture of submission, saying no word.

“Oh, not like that!” he said gently.  “Not if you’d rather not, dear.”

She caught her breath sharply; it was almost a sob.  Then she opened her eyes wide and laughed.

“Oh, you great big silly!” she said.  “You’re easier to draw than anyone I ever met!”

His arms clasped her.  He drew her close.  “My own little butterfly girl!” he said, and kissed her very tenderly.  “I’ve caught you at last—­at last.”

She laid her head against his neck, and stood so, quivering a little and silent.

“You’re tired,” he said.  “I’ll give you a lift towards home.  Folly will carry you all right.”

She uttered a tremulous laugh, and lifting her face she kissed him of her own accord.

“You’re—­awful good to me, Bunny dear,” she said.  “P’raps—­p’raps I’ll be engaged to you soon.”

“You darling!” said Bunny fervently.

CHAPTER V

THE CONFIDENCE

A letter with the crest of a fox’s head and the motto, Sans Vertu, upon the back lay beside Maud’s plate on the following morning.  She took it up with a smile at Jake who had just entered the room.

“From Charlie—­probably about the new yacht.  He told me the other day that he wanted me to perform the christening ceremony.”

“You have my permission,” said Jake.  “What does he propose to call her?”

“The Blue Moon, I believe.  But he was in a freakish mood.  He may have changed his mind by this time.”

Jake glanced round.  “Where’s the kid?”

“Who?  Toby?  I thought she went out early.  Hasn’t she been riding with you?”

“No, she dodged me,” said Jake.  “Went off on her own on one of those raw colts.  I shall have to talk to her when she comes in.”

“I hope she’s all right,” said Maud, with a touch of anxiety.

“She’s all right,” said Jake.

“But why did she dodge you?  Have you been quarrelling?” Maud paused in the act of opening her letter and looked at him with a grave questioning that brought a gleam of humour into Jake’s eyes.

“We have not,” he said.  “I’ve scarcely seen her since yesterday morning.  I can’t tell you why she dodged me.  I only know she did it.”