The Admiral eyed her critically.
"I am sorry for your poor cousin," he remarked.
"Are you? For having me, I suppose you mean? But I'm not a worry—really I am not. I can amuse myself in heaps of ways, and if only he would let me into his study, I would be as happy as a king. I love reading, and he has his walls lined with books."
"I can lend you books," said Sidney, getting up from the table. "Come with me, and when I have done my housekeeping we will go out for a walk together."
She took the girl into the morning-room, which was her special domain. To her surprise, she found it already tenanted. Austin de Cressiers was seated calmly at the table writing a note.
He looked up and laughed, then, when he saw Jockie, rose to his feet.
Sidney introduced them.
"How cheeky of you!" she said. "My notepaper, too! What are you doing?"
"I came in through the French window; knew you were at breakfast. And I wanted to leave a note, and hadn't any paper in my pocket. I've had to stay at home to-day, but meant to have hunted. The governor is in one of his ramps! I'm an ill-used, cock-and-henpecked son!"
His eyes sought Jockie's. They both laughed.