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The lord andof the

twenty-first, the date of the ball, and leent business as an

excuse for not putting in an appearance earlier; but, beyond seeing his

lawyers and listening to their complaints at his absence, he had done

very little business, and had been cruising in the Solent to while away

the interval

The villagers wanted to "receive" him at the station, and talked of a

"welcome" arch; but no one could find out at what hour to expect hileford, ith native quickness, had learned a great

deal of his character in her short acquaintance with him, and was quite

aware that he disliked fuss of any kind, had discouraged the idea

The dogcart was sent to the station to meet the six-o'clock train, on

chance, and he arrived by it, and was driven ho about in the hope of seeing hileford met him in the hall, and they went at once to the

library

"I can't tell you how glad I am that you have come, Drake--I suppose I

ain to him