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so

"You haven't told me who is here," he said, as he watched her pour out

the tea which had been laid in a ed recess from which was an

exquisite view of the lawns and the park beyond

"Oh, a host of your friends," she said "Do you like sugar, Drake? Fancy

an aunt having to ask her nephew that! I shall get used to all your fads

and fancies presently There are the Northgates, and the Beeches, and

old Lord Balfreed"--she ran through the list, and he listened absently

until she cahs?" he said, with so it, the countess noticed how stern his face had become

"Yes Lady Luce and her father will arrive to- at a place near here--the Wolfers' You

re with her, of course"

"Quite a gathering of the clans," he said, as brightly as he could "It

is a long tilemere had such a beau fête Who is that?" he

broke off to inquire "One of the guests?"