She may not be in, and in any case, perhaps, for to-day only leave cards.

To-morrow or next day I'll go with you, Mother.

You see, until the announcement comes out in the _Morning Post_, everything is not quite settled--I expect Zara would like it better if you did not meet until after then." That was probably true, he reflected, since he had not even exchanged personal pledges with her yet himself! Then, as his mother looked stiffly repulsed, his sense of humor got the better of him, and he burst into a peal of laughter, while he jumped up and kissed her with the delightful, caressing boyishness which made her love him with a love so far beyond what she gave to her other children.
"Darling," she murmured, "if you are so happy as to laugh like that I am happy, too, and will do just what you wish." Her proud eyes filled with mist and she pressed his hand.
"Mum, you are a trump!" he said, and he kissed her again and, holding her arm, he led her back into the morning-room.
"Now I must go and change these things," he announced, as he looked down at his riding clothes.

"I am going to lunch with Markrute in the City to discuss all the points.

So good-bye for the present.