"Oh no. I am to stay with Aunt Harriet at the Rectory all the summer."

"Ah, that is too bad. You'd like sailing about, I dare say?"

"Oh, yachting must be the most delightful thing in the world," cried
Mrs. Liddell, from her place opposite. "If I were you I should coax my
father to let me go."

"Papa knows best. I am very fond of the Rectory," said Lady Alice,
blushing at being so publicly addressed.

"And _you_ understand the beauty of obedience," said Errington, with
grave approval.

"Now, if you intend to see the whole 'fun of the fair,'" said Mrs.
Burnett, "you had better be going, young people. The carriage is to come
back for us after setting you down at the theatre. Who are going? My
girls, Lady Alice, and Mrs. Liddell? Who is to be their escort? Colonel
Ormonde?"

He glanced across the table. Mrs. Liddell sent no glance in his
direction; she again devoted her attention to Kirby.

"No, thank you. To be intensely amused from two to six is more than I
can stand; besides, I hope to meet you at Lady Maclean's this
afternoon."

"I have an engagement, a business engagement at three," said Errington;
"but I shall be happy to call for these ladies and see them home."