with an upright tuft of red feathers and voluminous skirts of brown net,
a jacket and flounces to match--betook herself to the side of Lord
Hartledon.

"Where d'you get the boats?" she asked.

"They are kept lower down, at the boat-house," he replied, puffing at his
cigar. "You can't see it from here; it's beyond Dr. Ashton's; lots of
'em; any number to be had for the hiring. Talking of Dr. Ashton, they
will dine here to-day, ma'am."

"Who will?" asked Lady Kirton.

"The doctor, Mrs. Ashton--if she's well enough--and Miss Ashton."

"Who are they, my dear nephew?"

"Why, don't you know? Dr. Ashton preached to you yesterday. He is Rector
of Calne; you must have heard of Dr. Ashton. They will be calling this
morning, I expect."

"And you have invited them to dinner! Well, one must do the civil to this
sort of people."

Lord Hartledon burst into a laugh. "You won't say 'this sort of people'
when you see the Ashtons, Lady Kirton. They are quite as good as we are.
Dr. Ashton has refused a bishopric, and Anne is the sweetest girl ever
created."

Lady Maude, who was drawing, and exchanging a desultory sentence once in