So on that warm September afternoon in her gracious way she restored Bunny’s good humour and reinstated their friendship without effort, without apparent consciousness of any strain upon it.  They went through the stables, and Bunny displayed his favourites with an enthusiasm of which he had not believed himself capable a little earlier.  The stud had always been his great delight from boyhood, and both the General and his daughter took a keen interest in all they saw.

The time passed with astounding rapidity, and the chiming of the great stable-clock awoke Bunny at length to the fact that the afternoon was practically over.

“Maud will think we are never going in to tea,” he said, with a laugh, turning back from the gate into the training field where they had been inspecting some of the colts.  “You’ll come round to the house, won’t you?  She is expecting you—­said I was to be sure to bring you in.”

Sheila smiled and accepted the invitation.  “We were hoping to see Mrs. Bolton to say good-bye,” she said.  “Is Miss Larpent not here to-day?”

“Yes, she’s out riding,” Bunny said.  “She may be in any moment.  It’s a pity Jake is away.  He is expected back some time next week.”

“Yes, I’m sorry to have missed him,” said the General.  “Tell him that I’ve enjoyed seeing the animals, and I think he has a very fine show!  I never could understand how Saltash could bring himself to part with the stud.”

“He’s so seldom at home,” said Bunny.  “Yachting is much more in his line—­though as a matter of fact he is at the Castle just now, came back yesterday.”

“Is he indeed?  Are you sure of that?” Sheila spoke with surprise.  “I thought he meant to be away much longer.”

“His intentions never last more than a couple of days,” remarked the General with a touch of acidity.  “Nothing he does ever surprises me.”

“He’s a very good chap,” began Bunny.  “He’s been no end decent to me.  Why,—­” he broke off suddenly—­“Hullo!  There he is!  And—­Toby!”

Two figures had come suddenly round the corner of some stables, walking side by side.  Both were in riding-dress, but the day being hot, the girl had discarded her long coat and was carrying it without ceremony over her arm.  Her silk shirt was open at the neck, her soft hat pushed jauntily down on the side of her head.  She was laughing as she came, and she looked like a merry little cow-boy straight from the prairies.

The man who moved beside her was laughing also.  There was no grace about him, only that strange unstudied kingliness that had earned for him the title of “Rex.”  He was swift to see the advancing visitors and swept the hat from his head with a royal gesture of greeting.

Toby’s face flushed deeply; she looked for the moment inclined to run away.  Then with an impulse half-defiant, she restrained herself and caught back the smile that had so nearly vanished.  She slapped the switch against her gaitered leg with boyish swagger and advanced.