“Don’t be so allegorical,” I implored. “Besides, it’s really not just to Archie. No doubt the dog is a nice one, but—”

“How foolish you are this morning! What’s the discovery?”

“An entirely surprising one.”

“Oh, but let me hear! It’s nothing about Archie, is it?”

“No, I’ve told you all Archie’s sins.”

“Nor Mrs. Hilary? I wish it was Mrs. Hilary!”

“Shall we walk on the terrace?” I suggested.

“Oh, yes, let’s,” said Dolly, stepping out, and putting on a broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat, which she caught up from a chair hard by. “It isn’t Mrs. Hilary?” she added, sitting down on a garden seat.

“No,” said I, leaning on a sundial which stood by the seat.

“Well, what is it?”