"Ah! fine country about here, but not a part of the world I know at all. Lady Dove has most kindly suggested some shooting, I suppose there is plenty."

"And there is some excellent golf," said Lewis cheerfully.

"Ah! I should have thought the neighbourhood was too scattered for that."

"I think you'll find it a growing neighbourhood," said Lewis, remembering Toney's advertisement and glancing at her, but she turned her head away in terror.

"Ah! I'm surprised at that. I shouldn't have expected it."

"The unexpected is frequently met with here."

"Indeed! As to society I always prefer solitude to second-rate people."

"We used to be very select, but—since——"

Toney looked reproachfully at him.

"England is changing very much in that respect; what with Socialists and Radicals, we are going to the dogs."