.

.
* * * * * * "Nan's very late." Mrs.Seymour made the statement rather blankly.

Dinner had been announced and the house-party were gathered together in the hall round the great hearth fire.

The summer day had chilled to a cool evening, as so often happens by the sea, and the ruddy flames diffused a cheery glow of warmth.
"Perhaps Lady Gertrude is keeping her to dinner," said Lord St.John.
"It's very probable." As he spoke he held out his hands to the fire--withered old hands that looked somehow frailer than their wont.
Kitty shook her head.
"No.

She--I don't think she enjoyed her visit overmuch, and, when she came back she went out cycling--to 'work it off,'" she said.
"Where did she go ?" inquired Penelope.
"To Tintagel.