“Faith, the morning is so lovely that it augurs a peaceful day,” she said, with her sweetest manner. “Gentlemen, you are all bidden to join my Lady Sunderland and me at eleven for a cup of chocolate before we go to the races.”
“Who could refuse?” Mr. Benham said gallantly; “when men make peace for your sake, my lady, what would they not do?”
But Lady Betty’s quick eye caught the gloom on the boyish face of young Mackie. She held out her hand.
“Sir Edward, you will take me home to the inn?” she said.
He colored like a girl and involuntarily glanced at Lord Clancarty; then catching his lordship’s falcon eye, he bowed in deep confusion.
“I’m only too happy, my lady,” he said.
She stood quite still, her bright eyes on Lord Savile and Mr. Benham. Then she pointed with her finger toward the farther end of the field.
“Yonder,” she said, “one combatant and his friend retire, and,” she turned quickly, pointing in the opposite direction, “yonder, the others go!”
Clancarty laughed. “A safe device, my lady,” he said, “but I could not fight without my sword.”
She blushed prettily and held it out to him.