‘He can come if he pleases,’ Mr. Darrell answered with an indifferent air; ’I shall not be uncivil to him.  But I am rather sorry that he has made such a favourable impression upon you, Milly.’

She was still playing with the buttons of his coat, looking downward, her dark eyes quite veiled by their long lashes.

‘I did not say that, papa,’ she murmured shyly.

’But I am sure of it from your manner.  Has he done anything towards the improvement of Cumber?’

’O yes; he has put new roofs to some part of the stables; and the land is in better order, they say; and the gardens are kept nicely now.’

‘Does he live alone at the Priory?’

‘Quite alone, papa.’

‘He must find it rather a dull business, I should think.’

’Mr. Collingwood says he is very fond of study, and that he has a wonderful collection of old books.  He is a great smoker too, I believe; he walks a good deal; and he hunted all last winter.  They say he is a tremendous rider.’

Augusta Darrell came in at this moment, ready for her ride.  Her slim willowy figure looked to great advantage in the plain tight-fitting cloth habit; and the little felt hat with its bright scarlet feather gave a coquettish expression to her face.  She tapped her husband lightly on the arm with her riding-whip.

‘Now, William, if your are quite ready.’

‘My dearest, I have been waiting for the last half-hour.’

They went off to their horses.  Milly followed them to the terrace, and watched them as they rode away.

We spent the morning out-of-doors sketching, with Julian Stormont in attendance upon us.  At two o’clock we all meet at luncheon.

After luncheon Milly and I went to the drawing-room, while Mrs. Darrell and Mr. Stormont strolled upon the terrace.  My dear girl had a sort of restless manner to-day, and went from one occupation to another, now sitting for a few minutes at the piano, playing brief snatches of pensive melody, now taking up a book, only to throw it down again with a little weary sigh.  She seated herself at a table presently, and began to arrange the sketches in her portfolio.  While she was doing this a servant announced Mr. Egerton.  She rose hurriedly, blushing as I had rarely seen her blush before, and looking towards the open window near her, almost as if she would have liked to make her escape from the room.  It was the first time Angus Egerton had been at Thornleigh Manor since she was a little child.

‘Tell papa that Mr. Egerton is here, Filby,’ she said to the servant.  ‘I think you will find him in the library.’

She had recovered her self-possession in some measure by the time she came forward to shake hands with the visitor; and in a few minutes we were talking in the usual easy friendly way.

’You see, I have lost no time in calling upon your papa, Miss Darrell,’ he said presently.  ’I am not too proud to show him how anxious I am to regain his friendship, if, indeed, I ever possessed it.’