"Before you get through with it, you will probably insult three-fourths of the people you intend to invite, and have about a hundred quarrels on your hands, and a lawsuit or two." However, before Annixter could reply, Magnus came out on the porch, erect, grave, freshly shaven.

Without realising what he was doing, Annixter instinctively rose to his feet.

It was as though Magnus was a commander-in-chief of an unseen army, and he a subaltern.

There was some little conversation as to the proposed dance, and then Annixter found an excuse for drawing the Governor aside.

Mrs.Derrick watched the two with eyes full of poignant anxiety, as they slowly paced the length of the gravel driveway to the road gate, and stood there, leaning upon it, talking earnestly; Magnus tall, thin-lipped, impassive, one hand in the breast of his frock coat, his head bare, his keen, blue eyes fixed upon Annixter's face.