The combination, however, was beaten by Cedric and the youngest of the Russell girls, a pretty, roundabout child, who left all the play to her partner and screamed with excitement and admiration almost every time he hit the ball.
It was quite evident that the final contest lay between them and Lady Essie Cameron, a strapping, muscular Scotch girl, whose partner kept discreetly to the background, and allowed her to stand up to the net and volley every possible ball that came over.
When she and her partner had emerged victorious from every contest, nothing remained but for Cedric and Miss Russell to make good their claim to the second place by conquering the remaining couples.
Alex played worse than ever, and the sett was six games to love. As she went past, Cedric muttered to her low and viciously:
"Are you doing it on purpose?"
She knew that he was angry and mortified at his friend Nottingham's disappointment, but his words struck her like a blow.
She stood with her back to every one, gulping hard.
"You didn't have a chance, old man," said a sympathetic youth behind her. "They might have arranged the setts better."
Peter Nottingham growled in reply.
"Who was the girl you were playing with?"