Shelton laughed; but he knew his host's ideas on this subject, and was apt to respect them.
"So much the better, sir," he said in a cheerful tone; "I am a bit tired of the smell of petrol myself. Give me Nature without a corset."
"You'll certainly get that here," Lord Barminster replied, favouring his young guest with an approving glance.
Shortly afterwards, they made their way to the morning-room. Here, luncheon had been laid, and Lord Barminster, Miss Penelope, with Lady Constance, were awaiting them. The little party sat down to table, each one secretly only too ready for the meal; for the ride through the fresh, country air had been a fairly long one.
"I was really hungry, Constance," Adrien said, with his low, careless laugh. "There must be magic in the air of Barminster."
"Yet still you come here so seldom," returned his cousin gently.
"Business and the cares of State," quoted Adrien, with a smile. "But I might retaliate. Why do we not see you up in town? Society misses one of its brightest stars."
Lady Constance toyed idly with the grapes on her plate; then she looked up.
"Society has many brighter lights than I, Adrien," she said quietly. "But now, tell me about the race--auntie is terribly anxious over it; are you not, dear?"
"Yes, my love," returned Miss Penelope, who, in reality, hardly knew one horse from another.