The Duke, who was on the other side of me, did not care to be left out, and persistently talked to me for the rest of lunch.
Sir Antony consumed his with the appreciation of a connoisseur. It appeared to be the only thing which interested him.
Babykins, from the other side, did her utmost to engage him in a war of wits, but he remained calm, with the air of a placid lion.
When we got outside in the great tent he came up to me.
"I am going to take you for a walk," he said—"a nice, cool walk in the woods. Will you get your parasol?"
The Duke was at that moment fetching it for me from the hall table, where I had left it.
"I do not know what we shall do to-day," I said, "I believe I am going to play croquet."
"Oh no, you are not. It is much too hot, and you must see the woods.
They are historical, and—Here, take this parasol and let us start."
This last hurriedly, as the Duke was seen returning with mine.
I cannot say why I allowed myself to be dragged off like this. My natural impulse has always been to do the opposite thing when ordered by any one but grandmamma. But here I found myself walking meekly beside my kinsman down a yew-bordered path, holding a mauve silk parasol over my head which did not belong to me.
We did not speak until we got quite to the end, where there is a quaint fountain, the centre of four allées of clipped yews.