At three o’clock they were to take the boats; and, allowing for time being wasted in the start, might be in again and the race won in three-quarters-of-an-hour.  But, as is often the case, the time was not adhered to; one hindrance after another occurred; there was a great deal of laughing and joking, forgetting of things, and of getting into order; and at a quarter to four they were not off.  But all were ready at last, and most of the rowers were each in his little cockle-shell.  Lord Hartledon lingered yet in the midst of the group of ladies, all clustered together at one spot, who were keeping him with their many comments and questions.  Each wore the colours of her favourite:  the crimson and purple predominating, for they were those of their host.  Lady Kirton displayed her loyalty in a conspicuous manner.  She had an old crimson gauze skirt on, once a ball-dress, with ends of purple ribbon floating from it and fluttering in the wind; and a purple head-dress with a crimson feather.  Maude, in a spirit of perversity, displayed a blue shoulder-knot, timidly offered to her by a young Oxford man who was staying there, Mr. Shute; and Anne Ashton wore the colours given her by Lord Hartledon.

“I can’t stay; you’d keep me here all day:  don’t you see they are waiting for me?” he laughingly cried, extricating himself from the throng.  “Why, Anne, my dear, is it you?  How is it I did not see you before?  Are you here alone?”

She had not long joined the crowd, having come up late from the Rectory, and had been standing outside, for she never put herself forward anywhere.  Lord Hartledon drew her arm within his own for a moment and took her apart.

“Arthur came up with me:  I don’t know where he is now.  Mamma was afraid to venture, fearing the grass might be damp.”

“And the Rector of course would not countenance us by coming,” said Lord Hartledon, with a laugh.  “I remember his prejudices against boating of old.”

“He is coming to dinner.”

“As you all are; Arthur also to-day.  I made the doctor promise that.  A jolly banquet we’ll have, too, and toast the winner.  Anne, I just wanted to say this to you; Val is in an awful rage with me for letting that matter get to the ears of your father, and I am not pleased with him; so altogether we are just now treating each other to a dose of sullenness, and when we do speak it’s to growl like two amiable bears; but it shall make no difference to what I said last week.  All shall be made smooth, even to the satisfaction of your father.  You may trust me.”

He ran off from her, stepped into the skiff, and was taking the sculls, when he uttered a sudden exclamation, leaped out again, and began to run with all speed towards the house.

“What is it?  Where are you going?” asked the O’Moore, who was the appointed steward.

“I have forgotten—­” What, they did not catch; the word was lost on the air.