"I suppose my daughter is tired: very kind of you." "Not at all," responded Stafford, politely; and he got on to Adonis, which Mr.Groves himself had led out, and rode away.
The gentleman looked after him with knitted brows.
"What is the name of that young fellow ?" he asked of Groves.
"That is Mr.Stafford Orme, Sir Stephen's son, sir," replied Groves.
The gentleman was walking towards the house, but he pulled up short, his eyes narrowed themselves to slits and his thick lips closed tightly.
"A fine young fellow, sir!" said Groves, with respectful enthusiasm.

"A splendid specimen of an English gentleman!" The gentleman grunted and went on to the dining-room.
"What whim is this, Maude ?" he asked, irritably.
She yawned behind her beringed hand.
"I am tired.

I can't face that stuffy carriage again just yet.

Let us dine here and go on afterwards in the cool." "Oh, just as you like," he said.

"It makes no difference to me!" "I know," she assented.