Carriages and saddle-horses were visible on the drive in front, and a flag was hoisted on a staff placed in the middle of the lawn.
"Something seems to be going on there," Percy remarked.

"A fine old house! Who does it belong to ?" Bervie smiled.

"It belongs to my father," he said.

"He is chairman of the bench of local magistrates, and he receives his brother justices to-day, to celebrate the opening of the sessions." He stopped and looked at Percy with some embarrassment.

"I am afraid I have surprised and disappointed you," he resumed, abruptly changing the subject.