"Do come back to the house with us, Mr. Headland," Lady Brenton said, impulsively.
Cleek, only too willing to accept, soon found himself at Ailsa's side, swinging down the long, leafy lane.
Lady Brenton was a tactful woman, and after having glanced once or twice in their direction, she smiled significantly at her son and dropped behind, on the plea of the narrowness of the lane, whispering a minute later in carefully lowered tones to Sir Edgar:
"A most distinguished man, Edgar, and if I know anything of love affairs, we shall be parting with our pleasant little neighbour for good and all before the summer is over. Did you see the man's eyes? Positively worshipping her. Ah, well, it is good to be young, and once this is over——"
But her own heart was like lead within her breast.