Mrs Scarfe took occasion in the drawing-room afterwards to go into rhapsodies to her young friend regarding her son; and when about ten o'clock the holiday- makers arrived home, in high spirits and full of their day's sport, she achieved a grand stroke of generalship by leaving the two young people together in the conservatory, having previously, by a significant pressure of her son's arm, given him to understand that now was his time for striking while the iron was hot.
Scarfe was in an unusually gay mood, and still a little elevated by the festivities of the day.
"I'm sure you missed us," said he, "didn't you ?" "The house was certainly much quieter," said Raby.
"Do you know," said he, "it's rather pleasant to feel that one is missed ?" Raby said nothing, but began to feel a desire to be safely back in the drawing-room.
"Do you know we drank toasts to-day, like the old knights, to our lady loves ?" continued Scarfe.
"Indeed," replied Raby, as unconcernedly as she could.
"Yes--and shall I tell you the name I pledged?
Ah, I see you know, Raby." "Mr Scarfe, I want to go back to the drawing-room; please take me." Scarfe took her hand.

His head was swimming, partly with excitement, partly with the effects of the supper.
"Not till I tell you I love you, and--" "Mr Scarfe, I don't want to hear all this," said Raby, snatching her hand away angrily, and moving to the door.
He seized it again rudely.
"You mean you don't care for me ?" asked he.
"I want to go away," said she.
"Tell me first," said he, detaining her; "do you mean you will not have me--that you don't love me ?" "I don't," said she.
"Then," said he, sober enough now, and standing between her and the door, "there is another question still Is the reason because some one else in this house has--" "Mr Scarfe," said Raby quietly, "don't you think, when I ask you to let me go, it is not quite polite of you to prevent me ?" "Please excuse me," he said apologetically.

"I was excited, and forgot; but, Raby, do let me warn you, for your sake, to beware of this fellow Jeffreys.

No, let me speak," said he, as she put up her hand to stop him.

"I will say nothing to offend you.