"Oh! she regards you as a possible convert," said Jim. "She hopes that you will go about with eight holes in your boots before long."
"How does she get on with Percy's sister?" asked Reggie, innocently.
Jim Armine laughed.
"Didn't you know you were her ark? She got routed in several pitched battles, and retired precipitately."
"That was when you were abroad last year, Reggie," said Mr. Davenport. "She came here one day with her boxes and medicines, and asked us to take her in. She gave no reason; but Lady Hayes told your mother."
"Was Lady Hayes so rude to her?"
Jim Armine laughed.
"She was so polite, on the contrary. Don't you know her?"
Gertrude went off next morning to meet Mrs. Carston at Tunbridge, and go with her to Aix. Reggie went with her to Victoria, and had parting words on the platform.