confidentially, forgetting Darrell.

"I want you to come and see my mother?" he said, smiling at her. "Ask
Lady Grosville to bring you."

"May I? But--" She searched his face, eager still to pour out the
impulsive, uncontrolled confidences that were in her mind. But his
expression stopped her, and she gave a little, resentful sigh.

"Yes--I'll come. _We_--you and I--are a little bit cousins too--aren't
we? We talked about you at the Grosvilles."

"Was our 'great-great' the same person?" he said, laughing. "Hope it was
a decent 'great-great.' Some of mine aren't much to boast of. Well, at
any rate, let's _be_ cousins--whether we are or no, shall we?"

She assented, her whole face lighting up.

"And we're going to meet--the week after next!" she said, triumphantly,
"in the country."

"Are we?--at Grosville Park. That's delightful."

"And _then_ I'll ask your advice--I'll make you tell me--a hundred
things! That's a bargain--mind!"

"Kitty! Come and help me with tea--there's a darling!"

Lady Kitty turned. A path had opened through the crowd, and Madame
d'Estrées, much escorted, a vision of diamonds and pale-pink satin,