"Get rid of what, Dick?" called Miss Marbury's voice behind them. She was with Sir Edward Parkington, and had approached unnoticed.
"Ah! listening were you?" said Maynadier.
"Listening, indeed! You disturbed us with your noise—you fairly dinned it in our ears."
"And just enough to make you wish for more! Oh, no, Miss Inquisitive, we will keep the secret to ourselves."
"Then, it is a secret?"
"A great secret—oh, very great!" said Maynadier, with assumed gravity. "Herford has the doldrums."
"And you were walking him up and down the avenue to help him get rid of them?" she mocked. "Oh, kind Mr. Maynadier! I fear, Captain Herford is weary of our hospitality."
"Your fears are groundless, mademoiselle," said Herford, with a bow; "the doldrums fled at the sound of your voice."
"Then, you know how to banish them in future," she replied.
"I would not impose——"