"Yes, you have," she contradicted sharply; "you go there, sit by her,
and take her into the garden."

"There is nothing in that," he rejoined, too chivalrous to add that it
was his cousin who sat by, escorted him, and clung to him like the
traditional limpet.

"She is five years older than you, I know, but very sweet-tempered, and
not a bad manager--she runs 'Monte Carlo'!"

"Cossie is absolutely nothing to me beyond a cousin; nor have I ever
given her reason to think otherwise--or ever shall."

"Oh, you are wonderfully bold and courageous here with _me_; I should
like to hear you telling them this at 'Monte Carlo'! I know my sister
has set her heart on the match; she has been talking to me about the
trousseau, and intends to give you table linen, and a silver
tea-pot--she has two."

"Even the silver tea-pot would not bribe me!" declared Douglas with an
angry laugh.

"Well, I can assure you that it's an understood thing," persisted his
parent, with spiteful emphasis.

"How can it be understood, when I have never asked the girl to marry me
and never shall? Cossie is straight enough and can tell you that
herself."