It appeared as if he had already done so in fact, for Toby was never nervous in his presence.  She greeted him with pleasure and went with him gladly whenever he came to seek her.  They met every day, usually in the evening when Bunny was free, and the children gone to bed.  Maud would watch them wander out together into the summer solitudes, Chops walking sedately behind, and would smile to herself very tenderly at the sight.  She believed that Toby was winning to happiness and she prayed with all her soul that it might last.

Saltash came no more during these summer days.  He had departed in his abrupt way for his first pleasure cruise in The Blue Moon, taking no friend, save the ever-present Larpent, to relieve the monotony.  No one knew whither they were bound, or if the voyage were to be long or short.  He dropped out of his circle as a monkey drops from a tree, and beyond a passing wonder at his movements no one questioned either motive or intention.  Probably he had neither in any appreciable degree.  It was only the caprice of the moment that ever moved him.  So his friends said.  He evidently found his new toy attractive, and he would not return until he wearied of it.

Meantime, the summer crowds came and went at Fairharbour.  The Anchor Hotel was crowded with visitors, and Sheila and her father began to talk of departure for Scotland.

Jake had gone to an important race-meeting in the North, and it seemed that Bunny’s suggestion to show them the stud had been forgotten.  But on an afternoon in late August, after a hotly-contested polo match, as he stood with a fizzling drink in his hand, talking to Sheila, she abruptly reminded him of it.

“It’s quite a fortnight since you promised to show me the horses,” she said.

He started.  “Is it?  I’m awfully sorry.  I hadn’t forgotten, but somehow I’ve had a lot to think about lately.  You must come and have tea with Maud.  When will you come?”

Sheila laughed a little.  “Hadn’t you better ask Maud first?”

“Good gracious, no!” said Bunny.  “That’ll be all right.  She and Toby are always at home just now, and of course she will be pleased to see you any time.  When can you come?”

“Well, we are leaving the day after to-morrow,” Sheila said.

“To-morrow then!” said Bunny promptly.

“Your sister may not want us at such short notice,” she said, hesitating.

“Oh, rats!” said Bunny, with a grin.  “Of course she will!  Have you seen the Castle yet?”

“Yes.  We lunched there with Lord Saltash before he left.  It’s a horribly grim place.  I didn’t like it much.”

“It’s a magnificent place!” said Bunny stoutly.  “It’s completely thrown away on Charlie of course, but I love every stone of it.”

“What a pity it doesn’t belong to you!” commented Sheila.  “I wonder where you will live when you are married.”

Bunny flushed a little.  “We’re not marrying at present, but I’m hoping to stick to my job when we do.”