“Mama! How can you be so provoking?” exclaimed Fanny. “When we have both of us been at such pains to bring John and Elizabeth together, and you have actually invited Elizabeth to Mildenhurst next week!”

“Very true,” returned Mrs. Staple imperturbably. “I should not think it wonderful if John were to find Eliza’s quiet good sense welcome after three days spent—if the chit can contrive it!—in Letty’s company.”

Fanny looked a little dubious, but she was prevented from making any rejoinder by a knock on the door. Mrs. Staple called to this late visitor to come in, adding, In an under-voice: “Take care! This is John: I know his knock.”

So, indeed, it proved. Captain Staple entered, saying: “May I come in, Mama? Hallo, Fan! Talking secrets?”

“Good gracious, no! Unless you think it a secret that this is the most insipid party that ever was given!”

“Well, that’s just it,” said John confidentially. “If you don’t object, Mama, I think I shall be off in the morning.”

“Not remain until Monday!” cried Fanny. “You can’t cry off like that!”

“I’m not crying off. I was invited to meet the bride, and I have met her.”

“But you can’t tell Bevis you don’t mean to stay!”

“As a matter of fact, I have told him,” said John, a little guiltily. “Told him I had arranged to visit friends—not having understood that I was expected to remain here above a night. Now, there’s no need to pull that face, Fan! If you’re thinking Bevis was offended, you’re quite out.”

“Very well, my dear,” interposed his mother, before Fanny could speak. “Do you mean to go home? For I must tell you that although I should like nothing better than to bring my visit to an end to-morrow I cannot do it without putting your Aunt Maria into a miff.”

“No, no, I don’t mean to drag you off with me, Mama!” he assured her. “To tell you the truth, I thought I might take a trip into Leicestershire, to see Wilfred Babbacombe. Bound to be there, now cubbing has started.” He read condemnation in his sister’s eye, and added hastily: “It seems a pity I shouldn’t do so, now that I’m in the district.”