They plague all of us, in some form or other, at times, as life goes on." Very gently he disengaged his arm from her hand.
"Take me indoors," he said, "and give me my tea--over which we'll further discuss plots for kidnapping Verity and carrying him off south.

The French Riviera for preference ?--Hullo--what the deuce is that ?" For, as he spoke, the two cats appearing with miraculous suddenness out of nowhere--as is the custom of their priceless tribe--rushed wildly past.

Fierce, sinuous, infinitely graceful shapes, leaping high in air, making strange noises, chirrupings and squeakings, thudding of quick little paws, as they chased one another round the antiquated, seaward-trained cannon and pyramid of ball.
For a minute or so Damaris watched them, softly laughing.

Then, in the content bred of Carteret's promise and the joy of coming travel, something of their frisky spirit caught her too--a spirit which, for all young creatures, magically haunts the dusk.

And, as they presently fled away up the lawn, Damaris fled after them, circling over the moist grass, darting hither and thither, alternately pursuing and pursued.
Colonel Carteret, following soberly, revolving many thoughts, did not overtake her until the garden door was reached.