youth. As for my Robin, I adore him; but his fine nurse comes between
him and me. And to be sure, even if she didn't I have no time for
babies."

That was the way with Lady Ardaragh. Her moods changed from one minute
to another with incredible swiftness.

I had always had a great admiration for her, the pretty creature, and
when she had spoken of the illuminated manuscript I had a sudden vision
of her with her head of curls, and her pink, babyish face against a
background of pale gold.

To be sure her diversions, as even I knew, were something of the talk of
the countryside; and I have heard ladies say when they visited my
grandmother that it was a wonder Sir Arthur permitted it, but they would
be silent when they saw me. Yet my grandmother loved Lady Ardaragh, and
before my presence was noticed I have heard her say in a rebuking way
that her ladyship's ways were only the ways of a girl married to an
elderly, grave scholar.

I was tolerably sure that some time or other we should meet the Dawsons
in Lady Ardaragh's drawing-room, and I looked forward with horror to
seeing Richard Dawson again.

But as it chanced, I was to meet him otherwise, and in no very pleasant
fashion.