"It is only a short acquaintance," answered the lad; "but you see our grounds and those of Lady Mary Murray meet at the farther end, and so, of course, we met too."
"Hullo, Arthur!" exclaimed the new-comer at this point, "I never expected to see you here, old fellow."
"And I certainly did not expect to see you. Why, where have you been all this time? I made sure you had gone to Oxford after all."
"No, I have not gone yet. I'll tell you about it later on," he added in a lower tone, for just then the gong sounded again, and there was a stir of preparation to proceed to the dining-room.
The sight of the well-appointed dinner-table, with its gleaming silver and glittering glass, lifted Arthur back to the old life once more, and all the disappointments, struggles, and hardships of the past six months were forgotten for the time. He talked and laughed as though he had known the Bradings all his life, for Jack's youngest sister, who sat beside him, reminded him of his own sister Molly, and very soon he was telling Miss Ethel Brading all about her, and they were making merry over some of Molly's escapades when they had been out together.
"Arthur Murray is a nice boy, Papa," said the young lady when dinner was over. "I only hope he can dance, and will take the trouble to make himself as agreeable to the rest as he has been all dinner-time. You know, we are just going to have a few dances by and by."
"Oh, are you?" said the gentleman, pinching her cheek. "Well, I hope you will remember that we are business people and cannot afford to be up till daylight."
"No, Papa, we know your rule, and have arranged to break up about Cinderella time."
Meanwhile the lads had strayed out into the garden, for it was not quite dark, and the elders of the party wanted to indulge in a smoke. Adrian Murray drew Arthur away from the rest that they might have a chat together.
"Have a smoke, old fellow," he said as he drew out a case of cigarettes and offered one to Arthur.