"No," said Lady Oxted, "they are lost. A search party went out about three hours ago to look for them. Rockets and other signals of distress have been seen intermittently from the downs."
Harry sat up and saw Evie, and instantly turned his back on Lady Oxted.
"Did you have a nice walk?" he asked. "I wish I had come with you. I"—and he looked round to see whether the parasol was within range—"I have been terribly bored this afternoon. Lady Oxted has positively no conversation."
Evie looked first at him, then at her aunt.
"Well, you both look all the better for your—your silence," she said. "Yes, Lord Vail, we had a charming walk. And we surprised your double love-making in the wood."
"Oh, yes, the dairymaid," said Harry. "She's as pretty as a picture."
"I always wonder where the lower orders get their good looks from," said Lady Oxted, parenthetically.
Harry picked up his straw hat.
"Probably from the lower orders," he remarked. "Let's have tea. Sleeping is such hungry work, is it not, Lady Oxted? I am sure you must be famished."