Montfort's countenance, before merely apathetic, now assumed an
expression of extreme distaste. "Come to teach me to make a cannon, I
suppose!" he said mutteringly, and turning from her, contemplated the
balls and missed the cannon.

"Rather in my way, Lady Montfort," said he then, and, retiring to a
corner, said no more.

Lady Montfort's countenance became still more flushed. She lingered a
moment, returned to the drawing-room, and for the rest of the evening was
unusually animated, gracious, fascinating. As she retired with her lady
guests for the night she looked round, saw Colonel Morley, and held out
her hand to him.

"Your nephew comes here to-morrow," said she, "my old play-fellow;
impossible quite to forget old friends; good night."




CHAPTER IX.

"Les extremes se touchent."

The next day the gentlemen were dispersed out of doors, a large shooting
party. Those who did not shoot, walked forth to inspect the racing stud
or the model farm. The ladies had taken their walk; some were in their
own rooms, some in the reception-rooms, at work, or reading, or listening
to the piano,--Honoria Carr Vipont again performing. Lady Montfort was
absent; Lady Selina kindly supplied the hostess's place. Lady Selina was