"Thank you: I shall not fail."
A few minutes later, Barbara dropped into a chair at her brother's breakfast table, and tossed her forage cap on to another. Vidal said peevishly: "I suppose you have been making yourself remarkable. If you choose to ride out before breakfast, you may for all I care, but I wish you will not go unescorted!"
"No such thing! I was escorted - I was doubly escorted! Tell me all you know of Charles Audley, Robert."
"I don't know anything of him. How should I?"
"A younger son, with no prospects," said Augusta trenchantly.
"But with such charm of manner, Gussie!"
"I daresay."
"And such delightful smiling eyes!"
"Good God, Bab, what is all this?"
"Oh, I have had the most enchanting morning!" Barbara sighed. "They rode on either side of me, Etienne and this new suitor of mine, and how they disliked one another! I have invited Charles Audley to your party, by the way."