"Jimmy, what a bright boy to have thought of the plan!" And by twelve o'clock all was arranged.

Now, it had been settled the night before that Mr.Markrute should shoot with the Duke and the rest of the more serious men; but early in the morning that astute financier had sent a note to His Grace's room, saying, if it were not putting out the guns dreadfully, he would crave to be excused as he was expecting a telegram of the gravest importance concerning the new Turkish loan, which he would be obliged to answer by a special letter, and he was uncertain at what time the wire would come.

He was extremely sorry, but, he added whimsically, the Duke must remember he was only a poor, business-man! At which His Grace had smiled, as he thought of his guest's vast millions, in comparison to his own.
Thus it was that just before twelve o'clock when the young party were ready to start for their picnic.

Mr.Markrute, having written his letter and despatched it by express to London, chanced upon Lady Ethelrida in a place where he felt sure he should find her, and, expressing his surprise that they were not already gone, he begged to be allowed to come with them.

He, too, was an excellent cook, he assured her, and would be really of use.