and down-hill they raced, getting, as the manner of "cyclists" is, very
warm and rather oily. But retribution lagged not. Down a steep hill they
came, round a sharp turn they went, and, alas, over into a ditch they
fell. This was bad enough, but in the calm seclusion of a garden seat,
perched on a knoll just above them, the sinners, as they rose, dirty but
unhurt, beheld Miss Bernard! For a moment all was consternation. What
would she say?

It was a curious thing, but Kate seemed as embarrassed as themselves,
and she said nothing except:

"Oh, I hope you're not hurt!" and said this in a hasty way and with
ostentatious amiability.

Eugene was surprised. But as his eyes wandered, they fell on Haddington,
and that rising politician held awkwardly in his hand, and was trying to
convey behind his back, what looked very like a lady's glove. Now Miss
Bernard had only one glove on.

"The battery is spiked," he whispered triumphantly. "Come along, Lady
Claudia."

Claudia hadn't seen what Eugene had, but she obeyed, and off they went
again, airily waving their hands.

"What's the matter with her?" she asked.

Eugene was struggling with laughter.

"Didn't you see? Haddington had her glove! Splendid!"