But there seemed to be no need of warning.

The snakes had turned and were wriggling back to the mound as quickly as they could.

He laughed to himself behind his teeth as he whispered, "No need to fear there.

They seem much more afraid of her than she of them." All the same he began to beat on the ground with a stick which was lying close to him, with the instinct of one used to such vermin.

In an instant he was alone beside the mound with Lady Arabella, who appeared quite unconcerned at the incident.