"But does he?"
"I think you are prejudiced against him. He is rather a nice fellow."
"I wish you girls wouldn't use the word nice for everything," said Lewis somewhat crossly; but Maud's answer was cut short by the appearance of her mother as they walked up on to the terrace of Waycott Hall.
"I've just persuaded Jeanie to accept Antonia's invitation. I hear the county is coming and they expect something good, but no one knows. Do you, Maud?"
"Toney wants it to be a secret," said Maud.
"Ah, I see, you two always take Toney's side. Maud, what a colour you have. Morning walks agree with you, don't you think so, Lewis?"
Lewis looked up and noticed how pretty Maud was looking.
"Maud is developing into a beauty, aunt!"
"You silly boy! I don't want my girls to be beauties."
"Then you must find out some way of stopping it! Jeanie's pensive air is most becoming, and Maud——"