And that odious woman with whom he was so friendly would have him all to herself! These thoughts flashed into her mind before she was aware of it, and then she crushed them out--furious with herself.

For of what possible matter could her husband's doings be to her?
And yet, as she started, she found herself hoping it would rain, so that the five ladies who intended joining the guns in the farmhouse, for luncheon at two, would be unable to go.

For just as she had come into the saloon where some of the party were writing letters that morning she had heard Lady Highford say to Mrs.Harcourt, in her high voice, "Yes, indeed, we mean to finish the discussion this afternoon after luncheon .-- Dear Tristram! There is a long wait at the Fulton beat; we shall have plenty of time alone." And then she had turned round, and seemed confused at seeing her--Zara--and gushed more than the night before.
But she did not get the satisfaction of perceiving the bride turn a hair, though as Zara walked on to the end of the room she angrily found herself wondering who was this woman, and what had she been to Tristram?
What was she _now_?
Lord Elterton had already fallen in love.

He was a true _cavalier_ servant; he knew, like the financier, as a fine art, how to manipulate the temperaments of most women.

He prided himself upon it.