"I need not ask you how you are, dear Mrs. Tompkins, your looks tell me," said Col. Haughton.
"No, I am not one of the ill-kine, Colonel," laughed his bride-elect.
"Nor yet one of the lean-kine," said Trevalyon gaily.
As the other ladies gathered about, a small London swell, who had come forward with a beaming face, saying:
"Here we are again," and whom Mrs. Tompkins presented to Col. Haughton and Capt Trevalyon as "Sir Tilton Everly."
"Excuse me, sir; the carriages are filling up, sir."
"My man is right; we had better secure seats; allow me," said Col.
Haughton, giving his arm to Mrs. Tompkins.
The others were at the steps waiting for her to take her place, but a quick glance had let her see that one of the six seats is occupied; and determined to have the man she loves beside her, she says quickly:
"Never mind precedence, 'tis only a picnic; every one of you secure seats; I shall wait here with the Colonel for Sir Peter Tedril."
"Oh, yes, like a dear thing; we shall die without Sir Peter," cried
Mrs. Meltonbury.