"By Jove! Tobacco! Wait for me!" and, turning, fled back whence he came,
at full speed.

Claudia made an attempt at following him, but the weather was hot and
the road dusty, and, confronted with the alternative of a _tête-à-tête_
and a damaged personal appearance, she reluctantly chose the former.

Haddington did not let the grass grow under his feet. "Well," he said,
"it won't be unpleasant to rest a little while, will it? Here's a dry
bank."

Claudia never wasted time in dodging the inevitable. She sat down.

"I am very glad of this opportunity," Haddington began, in such a tone
as a man might use if he had just succeeded in moving the adjournment.
"It's curious how little I have managed to see of you lately, Lady
Claudia."

"We meet at least five times a day, Mr. Haddington--breakfast, lunch,
tea--"

"I mean when you are alone."

"Oh!"

"And yet you must know my great--my only object in being here is to see
you."

"The less I say the sooner it will be over," thought Claudia, whose