nice he looks in those beautiful clothes.  Algy and Lord Newhaven and Mr. Loftus all have the same look, haven’t they?  All friends together, as I often say, such a mercy among county people.  You might walk a little with Lord Newhaven, Ada.  It’s unaccountable how seldom we see him, but always so pleasant when we do.  Ah! he’s speaking to Rachel West.  They are going to the tents, after all.  Well, whatever you may say, I do think we ought to go and buy something, too.  Papa says he won’t put his hand in his pocket if the Loftuses are to get all the credit, and we ought to have had the choice of having the sale at the Towers, so he sha’n’t do anything; but I think it would be nice if we went and bought a little something.  Just a five-pound note.  You shall spend it, my dear, if you like.”

* * * * *

“This is sheer recklessness,” said Lord Newhaven, as Rachel bought an expensive tea-cosey from Fraeulein.  “In these days of death-duties you cannot possess four teapots, and you have already bought three teapot costumes.”

“That is what I am here for,” said Rachel, producing a check-book.  “How much did you say, Fraeulein?”

“Twenty-seven and seex,” said Fraeulein.

“Now I see it in the full light, I have taken a fancy to it myself,” said Lord Newhaven.  “I never saw anything the least like it.  I don’t think I can allow you to appropriate it, Miss West.  You are sweeping up all the best things.”

“I have a verr’ pretty thing for gentlemen,” said Fraeulein.  “Herr B-r-r-rown has just bought one.”

“Very elaborate, indeed.  Bible-markers, I presume?  Oh, braces!  Never mind, they will be equally useful to me.  I’ll have them.  Now for the tea-cosey.  It is under-priced.  I consider that, with the chenille swallow, it is worth thirty shillings.  I will give thirty for it.”

“Thirty-two and six,” said Rachel.

“The landed interest is not going to be browbeaten by coal-mines.  Thirty-three and twopence.”

“Forty shillings,” said Rachel.

“Forty-two,” said Lord Newhaven.

Every one in the tent had turned to watch the bidding.

“Forty-two and six,” said Rachel.

Fraeulein blushed.  She had worked the tea-cosey.  It was to her a sonata in red plush.

“Three guineas,” said Captain Pratt, by an infallible instinct, perceiving, and placing himself within the focus of general interest.

The bidding ceased instantly.  Lord Newhaven shrugged his shoulders and turned away.  Fraeulein, still shaking with conflicting emotions, handed the tea-cosey to Captain Pratt.  He took it with an acid smile, secretly disgusted at the sudden cessation of interest, for which he had paid rather highly, and looked round for Lady Newhaven.

But she had disappeared.

“Fancy you and Algy bidding against each other like that,” said Ada Pratt, archly, to Lord Newhaven, for though Ada was haughty in general society she could be sportive, and even friskily ingratiating, towards those of her fellow-creatures whom she termed “swells.”  “Why, half Middleshire will be saying that you have quarrelled next.”