He had hitherto treated her with scant attention, but she was not easily abashed, and she fastened at once on Lady Laura, whom she had seen once at a London ball.
"Where are you going, Lady Laura?
To Marmion?
Oh, no! Come on to our barge, you will see so much better, and save yourself another dusty bit of walk.

Here we are!" And she waved her parasol gaily towards a barge immediately ahead, belonging to one of the more important colleges.

Lady Laura looked doubtfully at her son.
Falloden suddenly accepted, and with the utmost cordiality.
"That's really very good of you, Mrs.Manson! I shall certainly advise my mother to take advantage of your kind offer.

But you can't do with all of us!" He pointed smiling to Trix and Roger.
"Of course I can! The more the merrier!" And the lively lady stooped, laid an affectionate hand on Roger's shoulder, and said in a stage aside--"Our ices are very good!" Roger hastily retreated.
* * * * * The starting-gun had boomed--communicating the usual thrill and sudden ripple of talk through the crowded barges.
"Now they're off!" Lady Laura, Nelly, and "the babes" hung over the railing of the barge, looking excitedly for the first nose of a boat coming round the bend.
Falloden, between the two fair-haired Miss Mansons, manoeuvred them and himself into a position at the rear where he could both see and be seen by the party on the Christ Church barge, amid which a certain large white hat with waving feathers shone conspicuous.

The two girls between whom he stood, who had never found him in the least accessible before, were proud to be seen with him, and delighted to try their smiles on him.