“I forgot, sir,” she said.
He took it gracefully, kissing the hand that gave it in spite of her quick frown of displeasure.
Lord Savile bowed profoundly, his hand on his heart.
“Madam, I obey,” he said gallantly, and retreated with Mr. Benham in the direction she had chosen, and at the same time Lord Clancarty went in the other, leaving Lady Betty alone in the field with young Mackie.
Hovering in the distance was the muffled figure of Alice, who had accompanied her mistress to the grove of limes and halted there, with her fingers in her ears, lest she should hear the clash of swords.
But Lady Betty saw her not, nor the glory of the day, nor the green of hedgerows and fields, nor the blooming daisy at her feet. Her eyes followed the figure of Clancarty, and there was a shadow on her face. She shivered and drew her cloak about her.
“Come, Sir Edward,” she said, “we must run for it; I am a truant, and Lord Spencer will put me upon bread and water if he finds me upon such errands, and faith, sir, I deserve it!”