"Well, not in it, don't you know. A—a little on one side— eh? A little—well, vulgar is a horrid word, isn't it? Oh, how d'ye do, Lord Ambert? Been winning as usual?"
"Not as usual. I've been winning to-day because Miss Firs-Robinson has been my partner!"
"Oh, I like that," said Elfrida, who was with him. "As if I was the least use to you! You could have won the game quite as well without me—better, I dare say. I don't believe I made five good strokes all day. My ball went into the net, instead of over it, every time. I'm a perfect fraud!" She looked up at Blount suddenly, brilliantly, intentionally. "Now am I not, Mr. Blount?"
Blount hesitated and coloured, and Lord Ambert stared at him superciliously. Blount shook his head.
"You must let me contradict you," said he shyly, boyishly.
"Shall I get you some tea?" asked Ambert, who was frowning.
"No, thank you. There is claret-cup somewhere, if one could only find it. Mr. Blount, will you come with me on a voyage of discovery?"
Poor Blount! His eyes lit up. He went quickly to her, and she led him a fool's dance for the next ten minutes.
Ambert strolled leisurely away in an opposite direction, his face set and angry.
"What a pity it is that she will encourage that poor boy!" said Mrs. Poynter to Agatha. "And when her mind is so entirely made up to marry Lord Ambert!"