She was a pretty girl, dressed in an elaborate demi-toilette of white chiffon, and the younger men of the party in their shooting dress--with Philip at their head--were presently clustered thick about her, like bees after pollen.

It was clear, indeed, that Philip was paying her considerable attention, and as he laughed and sparred with her, the transient colour that exercise had given him disappeared, and a pale look of excitement took its place.
Mariette glanced from one to another with a scarcely disguised curiosity.

This was only his third visit to England and he felt himself in a foreign country.

That was a _pasteur_ he supposed, in the gaiters--grotesque! And why was the young lady in evening dress, while Lady Merton, now that she had thrown off her furs, appeared in the severest of tweed coats and skirts?
The rosy old fellow beside Mrs.
Gaddesden was, he understood from Lady Merton, the Lord Lieutenant of the county.
But at that moment his hostess laid hands upon him to present him to her neighbour.

"Monsieur Mariette--Lord Waynflete." "Delighted to see you," said the great man affably, holding out his hand.