"I believe the best man has to console everybody," said Scott.
"You are peculiarly well fitted for the task," said his brother, setting down his cup and pulling out a cigarette-case. "Be quick and quench your thirst, Dinah. I want to trot you round the place before dark."
Dinah looked at Isabel. "You'll come too?"
Isabel shook her head. "No, dear, I can't walk much. Besides, Eustace will want you to himself."
But a queer little spirit of perversity had entered into Dinah. She shook her head also. "We will go round in the morning," she said, with a resolute look at her fiancé. "I am going to stay with Isabel to-night. You have had quite as much of me as is good for you; now haven't you?"
There was an instant of silence that felt ominous before somewhat curtly Sir Eustace yielded the point. "I won't grudge you to Isabel if she wants you. You can both of you come up to the picture-gallery when you have done. There's a fine view of the river from there."
He got up with the words and Scott rose also. They went away together, and Dinah at once nestled to Isabel's side.
"Now we can be cosy!" she said.
Isabel put an arm about her. "You mustn't make me monopolize you, sweetheart," she said. "I think Eustace was a little disappointed."
"I'll be ever so nice to him presently to make up," said Dinah. "But I do want you now, Isabel!"