“Indeed! Of course I knew her parents intimately! Where is she staying?”
Falloden briefly explained.
“But how very interesting! I must call upon her at once. But—I scarcely know the Hoopers!”
Falloden hung over the barge rail, and smiled unseen.
“Here they come!—here they come!” shouted the children, laying violent hands on Falloden that he might identify the boats for them.
Up rolled a mighty roar from the lower reaches of the river as the boats came in sight, “Univ” leading; and the crowd of running and shouting men came rushing along the towing-path. “Univ” was gallantly “bumped” in front of its own barge, and Magdalen went head of the river. A delirious twenty minutes followed. Bump crashed on bump. The river in all its visible length flashed with the rising and falling oars—the white bodies of the rowers strained back and forth. But it was soon over, and only the cheering for the victorious crews remained; and the ices—served to the visitors!—of which Roger was not slow to remind his hostess.
The barges emptied, and the crowd poured out again into the meadows. Just outside the Christ Church barge, Constance with Nora beside her, and escorted by Sorell and Lord Meyrick, lifted a pair of eyes to a tall fellow in immaculate flannels and a Harrow cap. She had been aware of his neighbourhood, and he of hers, long before it was possible to speak. Falloden introduced his mother. Then he resolutely took possession of Constance.
“I hope you approve what I have been doing about the mare?”
“I am of course most grateful. When am I to try her?”
“I shall take her out to-morrow afternoon. Then I’ll report.”