By R. E. Vernède.
Nare had enjoyed himself at the picnic until the baronet arrived, in spite of being rather an outsider among these local people, who all knew one another from the cradle. He had enjoyed himself in spite, too, of Mrs. Corcoran, who by many signs and cool politenesses had shown him that her daughter Judith had no need and—as she hinted very plainly—no inclination for his attentions. "Dear Sir Henry will be arriving soon, surely?" Mrs. Corcoran had said in his presence to their hostess, and little Mrs. Harrington, who had been very kind to Nare in that capacity, replied that of course Sir Henry would be arriving soon, but that in the meantime the rector (a mild man with a capacity for being held in awe) was very anxious to consult Mrs. Corcoran on the subject of an altar-cloth. Mrs. Corcoran was unable to resist the invitation. Whether the rector was as grateful for Sir Henry Pove's arrival as Nare was ungrateful, nobody can say, but there is no denying that the rector looked a little browbeaten by that time.
The baronet came on a tricycle, looking reedy in his light suit, but very dignified.
"I have accomplished the distance from Wetherwell in one hour and a quarter," he announced, "which I think is very fair—very fair."
"Wonderful," said Mrs. Corcoran, frowning at her silent daughter.
"Incredible," Nare suggested. "It must be eight miles."
"I thought it incumbent upon me to ride pretty fast," continued Sir Henry, "because a rather alarming thing has occurred."
A chorus of "Ohs!" wavered about the gratified tricyclist.
"A RATHER ALARMING THING HAS OCCURRED."