When Stafford and Maude Falconer went down to the lake after luncheon, they found a party from the Villa just embarking on board one of the launches; the air was filled with laughter and chatter, and the little quay was bright with the white flannels of the men and the gay frocks of the women.

The party greeted the two with an exuberant welcome, and Bertie called out to ask them if they were coming on board.
"Perhaps you would rather go on the launch, Miss Falconer ?" said Stafford; but she shook her head.
"No, thanks," she said, languidly.

"I hate crowds of that kind.

I'd rather stick to our original proposition; it will bore me less.

But perhaps you'd rather join them ?" "Is it likely ?" said Stafford, with a smile, as he signed to the man to bring up a skiff.