"I am sorry to say that Stafford has an extremely bad habit of getting up at unreasonable hours.

I wait until I am dragged out of bed by a fellow-creature or the pangs of hunger.

Of course you have been bathing, Staff?
Early rising and an inordinate love of cold water--externally--at all seasons are two of his ineradicable vices, Sir Stephen.

I have done my best to cure them, but--alas!" They went in to breakfast, which was served in a room with bay windows opening on to the terrace overlooking the lake.

Exactly opposite Stafford's chair was the little opening on the other side from which he and the girl from Heron Hall had gazed at the villa.