’But though Miss Boncassen has left us we are a very pleasant party, and surely you must be tired of such a place as Crummie-Toddie.  If only for the sake of getting a good dinner once in a way do come over again.  I shall be here for ten days.  As they will not let me go back to Grex I don’t know where I could be more happy.  I have been asked to go to Custins, and suppose I shall turn up some time in the autumn.

’And now shall I tell you what I expect?  I do expect that you will come over to—­see me.  “I did see her the other day,” you will say, “and she did not make herself pleasant.”  I know that.  How was I to make myself pleasant when I found myself so completely snuffed out by your American beauty?  Now she is away, and Richard will be himself.  Do come, because in truth I want to see you.

’Yours always sincerely.

‘Mabel Grex.’

On receiving this he at once made up his mind to go to Killancodlem, but he could not make up his mind why it was that she had asked him.  He was sure of two things; sure in the first place that she had intended to let him know that she did not care about him; and then sure that she was aware of his intention in regard to Miss Boncassen.  Everybody at Killancodlem had seen it,—­ to his disgust; but still that it was so had been manifest.  And he had consoled himself, feeling that it would matter nothing should he be accepted.  She had made an attempt to talk him out of his purpose.  Could it be that she thought it possible a second attempt might be successful?  If so, she did not know him.

She had in truth thought not only that this, but that something further than this might be possible.  Of course the prize loomed larger before her eyes as the prospect of obtaining it became less.  She could not doubt that he had intended to offer her his hand when he had spoken to her of his love in London.  Then she had stopped him;—­had ‘spared him’, as she had told her friend.  Certainly she had then been swayed by some feeling that it would be ungenerous in her to seize greedily the first opportunity he had given her.  But he had again made an effort.  He surely would not have sent her the ring had he not intended her to regard him as her lover.  When she received the ring her heart had beat very high.  Then she had sent that little note, saying that she would keep it till she could give it to his wife.  When she wrote that she had intended that the ring should be her own.  And other things pressed upon her mind.  Why had she been invited to Custins?  Little hints had reached her of the Duke’s goodwill towards her.  If on that side marriage were approved, why should she destroy her own hopes?

Then she had seen him with Miss Boncassen, and in her pique had forced the ring back upon him.  During that long game on the lawn her feelings had been very bitter.  Of course the girl was the lovelier of the two.  All the world was raving of her beauty.  And there was no doubt as to the charm of her wit and manner.  And then she had no touch of that blase used-up way of life of which Lady Mabel was conscious herself.  It was natural that it should be so. and was she, Mabel Grex, the girl to stand in his way, and to force herself upon him, if he loved another?  Certainly not,—­though there might be a triple coronet to be had.