Peters laughed at the girl's blushing protest and sat down near
the card table. Miss Craven paused in a deal to light a fresh
cigarette.

"What's the news in the county?" she asked, adding for Gillian's
benefit: "He's a walking chronicle, my dear."

Peters laughed. "Nothing startling, dear lady. We have been a
singularly well-behaved community of late. Old Lacy of Holmwood
is dead, Bill Lacy reigns in his stead and is busy cutting down
oaks to pay for youthful indiscretions--none of 'em very fierce
when all's said and done. The Hamer-Banisters have gone under
at last--more's the pity--and Hamer is let to some wealthy
Australians who are possessed apparently of unlimited cash,
a most curious phraseology, and an assurance which is beautiful
to behold. They had good introductions and Alex has taken them
up enthusiastically--there are kindred tastes."

"Horses, I presume. How are the Horringfords?"

"Much as usual," replied Peters. "Horringford is absorbed in
things Egyptian, and Alex is on the warpath again," he added
darkly.

Miss Craven grinned.

"What is it this time?"

Peters' eyebrows twitched quaintly.