described to you often, and said that it was going to be her delight
to make them put themselves out and come so far away from London for
her. "Them," for the moment, are Mr. Derringham and Mr.
Hanbury-Green, almost a Socialist person, who is on the other
side--very brilliantly clever but with a Cockney accent in one or two
words. M. E. does not notice this, of course. Mr. H-G. is in love
with her--Mr. D. is not, but she is determined that he shall be. I do
not know if he intends to marry her. He is making up his mind, I
think, therefore I must be doubly careful not to allow her to commit
any mistakes, because if she did it would certainly estrange him, and
as to keep her free is so much to our advantage, I feel I must be
extra careful in doing my duty.

Arabella was a person of scrupulous honor.

She then proceeded to describe the party, and concluded with,

There is one American girl I like very much--perfectly natural and
bubbling with spirits, saying aloud everything she thinks, really
well educated and taking so much outdoor exercise that she has not
yet begun to have the nervous attacks that are such a distressing
feature of so many of her countrywomen. I am told it is their
climate. M. E. says it is because the men out there have always let
them have their own way. I should think so much smoking has something
to do with it.

John Derringham meanwhile had gone with his hostess and some of the rest
of the party, Mr. Hanbury-Green among them, to inspect the small golf
links Mrs. Cricklander was having constructed in the park. Her
country-house must be complete with suitable amusements. She had taken