CHAPTER XIV.
Cora was being more than exasperating, Mrs.Cricklander thought, as they went through the park.

Not content with Lord Freynault, who was plainly devoted to her, she kept every now and then looking back at John Derringham with some lively sally, and although he was being particularly agreeable to herself, he responded to Miss Lutworth's piquant attacks with a too ready zeal.
Mrs.Cricklander grew more and more certain that her hold over him had lessened in these last two days, and every force in her indomitable personality stiffened with determination to win him at all costs.
The Professor received them graciously.

He was seated in his library, which now was a most comfortable room surrounded with bookcases in which lived all his rare editions of loved books.

Nothing could be more fascinating than Mrs.Cricklander's manner to him--a mixture of deference and friendly familiarity, as though he would appreciate the fact of a tacit understanding between them that she too had a right in John Derringham's friends.

She had been so reassured by finding that Mr.
Carlyon was unmarried and lived alone, that a glow of real warmth towards the Professor emanated from her, while the conviction grew that it was nothing but the influence of Cora Lutworth which had even momentarily cooled her whilom ardent friend.
Mr.Carlyon's imperturbable countenance gave no hint of what he thought of her, although John Derringham watched him furtively and anxiously.