Sorell, with his strange gift of sympathy, found himself admiring her "pluck." When the party returned to the boat-house in the evening, Sorell, whose boat had arrived first at the landing-stage, helped Constance to land.
Pryce, much against his will, was annexed by Nora to help her return the boats to the Isis; the undergraduates who had brought them being due at various engagements in Oxford.

Sorell carried Constance off.

He thought that he had never seen her look more radiant.

She was flushed with success and praise, and the gold of the river sunset glorified her as she walked.

Behind them, dim figures in the twilight, followed Mrs.
Hooper and Alice, with the two other ladies, their cavaliers having deserted them.
"I am so glad you like Mr.Pryce," said Sorell suddenly.
Constance looked at him in astonishment.
"But why?
I don't like him very much!" "Really?
I was glad because I suppose--doesn't everybody suppose ?"--he looked at her smiling--"that there'll be some news in that quarter presently ?" Constance was silent a moment.