"Of course not," said Ambrose; "but in this case I would be more
comfortable if you spoke to him first."

"Are you afraid of him?" she inquired with raised eyebrows.

"No," said Ambrose coolly; "but I don't want to get you into trouble."

Colina's eyes snapped. "Thank you," she said; "you needn't be anxious.
You had better come--we dine at seven."

"I will be there," he said.

By this time she was mounted. As she gave Ginger his head Ambrose
deftly caught her hand and kissed it. Colina was not displeased. If
it had been self-consciously done she would have fumed.

She rode home with an uncomfortable little thought nagging at her
breast. Was he really so simple as she had decided? Had he not baited
her into losing her temper--and insisting on his coming to dinner?
Surely he could not know her so well as that!

"Anyway, he _is_ coming!" she thought with a little gush of
satisfaction she did not stop to examine. "I'll wear evening dress,
the black taffeta, and my string of pearls. At my own table it will be
easier--and with father there to support me! We will see!"




CHAPTER VI.