Alas, the next game was scored to the captain's side. So, also, was the next, and Mrs. Dodson, with many blushes and exclamations of comic alarm at the amount, shared ten pounds with her lucky partner.
Then the party broke up.
Leicester Dodson, who had been talking to Violet during the whole of the card playing, bowed over her small white hand with his usual gravity, wrapped his mother in her China crèpe shawl, and took her to the carriage.
The vicarage party and the Giles' followed quickly, and the captain was left alone with his old friend's daughter and her aunt.
"Captain Murpoint, I have given you rooms in the south wing. If they are not to your liking I hope you will let me change them," said Mrs. Mildmay.
"They will seem palatial apartments after Indian mud huts, my dear madam, and only too luxurious," said the captain.
"Good-night," said Violet, giving him her hand. "I hope you will sleep soundly and not dream. There are ghosts near you."
The captain laughed.
"You mean in those old ruins at the side," he said.
"Yes," said Violet. "The park was all ruins when papa bought it, but he pulled down all the old walls, excepting the tower and old chapel that adjoins the south wing, and they are fearfully haunted."