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But instead, he crossed the lawn and turned toward the box-garden As he entered it he caught sight of soht-coloured in the summer-house, and presently made it out to be a pink parasol The parasol drew hinet: he was sure it was hers He went into the su down on the rickety seat picked up the silken thing and looked at its carved handle, which was ave out an aromatic scent Archer lifted the handle to his lips

He heard a rustle of skirts against the box, and saton the parasol handle with clasped hands, and letting the rustle co his eyes He had always known that thisvoice; and looking up he saw before hiirls, blonde and blowsy, in bedraggled muslin A red blotch on one of her cheeks seeainst a pillow, and her half-awakened eyes stared at him hospitably but confusedly

"Gracious--where did you drop from? I must have been sound asleep in the ha?" she incoherently enquired

Archer's confusion was greater than hers "I--no--that is, I was just going to I had to come up the island to see about a horse, and I drove over on a chance of finding Mrs Blenker and your visitors But the house see off the fu interest "The house IS empty Mother's not here, or the Marchioness--or anybody but lance became faintly reproachful "Didn't you know that Professor and Mrs Sillerton are giving a garden-party for mother and all of us this afternoon? It was too unlucky that I couldn't go; but I've had a sore throat, andDid you ever know anything so disappointing? Of course," she added gaily, "I shouldn't have "

Sy coquetry becath to break in: "But Madaone to Newport too?"

Miss Blenker looked at him with surprise "Madame Olenska--didn't you know she'd been called away?"

"Called away?--"

"Oh, oose of a Katie, because itmust have dropped it here We Blenkers are all like thatreal Bohe the sunshade with a powerful hand she unfurled it and suspended its rosy dome above her head "Yes, Ellen was called away yesterday: she lets us call her Ellen, you know A telegraone for two days I do LOVE the way she does her hair, don't you?" Miss Blenker rambled on