Evie rose with alacrity.
"With the greatest pleasure," she said.—"Are you coming, too, Aunt Violet?"
"Not for the wide, wide world," said Lady Oxted, "will I walk one yard!—Harry, stop where you are, and keep me company."
The two walkers went up under the knoll on which stood the ice house, talking and laughing in diminuendo. Harry saw Mr. Francis offer the girl his arm for the steep ascent, and it pleased him in some secret fashion to see that, though her light step was clearly in no need of exterior aid, she accepted it. With this in his mind he turned to Lady Oxted.
"It is a great success," he said. "They are delighted with each other. Think what it must mean to my uncle!"
Lady Oxted stifled a yawn.
"Who are delighted?" she asked.
Harry pointed at the two figures halfway up the slope.
"You knew whom I meant perfectly," he remarked.