Aylmer and two of the other guests came along the terrace, and Leland looked at her with a little inquiring smile.
"Shall I go on talking? I can keep it up if you wish," he said.
"No," said the girl. "You have really done enough in the meanwhile."
She rose and joined the others, and Leland was left wondering exactly what she meant, though it was borne in upon him that she did not object to Aylmer so much when he had a companion. Then he also rose, and strolled along to where a little faded lady of uncertain age, who had shown him some trifling kindness, was sitting alone. She swept her dress aside to let him pass, looking at him with a smile, but he seated himself on the broad-topped wall in front of her.
"Why are you not playing cards, or making love to somebody? Don't you know what you are here for?" she said.
Leland laughed. "I'm afraid I'm not good at either, Mrs. Annersly. You see, I'm from the wilderness."
"Well," said the lady, "there are, I fancy, one or two young women who would be willing to teach you the rules of one game."
"Are you sure they would think it worth while to waste powder and shot on a prairie farmer?"
"They might, if it was understood that he was willing to sell his broad acres and settle down to the simple pleasures of an English country life."
"No, by the Lord!" said Leland. "You will excuse me, madam, but I really meant it."