"You have made yourself comfortable, I see," she said, smiling.
"Oh, trust Northcote for that," put in Vane, with a chuckle, as he hung up a wonderfully coloured blazer in the tree behind.
"You've got the best of it, anyway," added Maurice languidly. "I think we are all mad to play tennis in this sun."
"Well, let's hope there will be some method in your madness," replied Lady Baradell. "As spectators, we shall be very critical."
She sank down into the chair which Aunt Mary had lately vacated, fanning herself slowly with a big palm-leaf which she was carrying in her hand.
"Stuart," she said, when the others had taken their places in the court, "I wonder what you think of me?"
"At the present moment," I said, "I think that you are the most beautiful woman in Suffolk."
She laughed, looking up at me sideways out of her curious golden eyes. "I think I was a little hysterical last night," she said softly. "But you were rather cruel, Stuart, you know. There are several ways of breaking bad news. Who is she?"
I hesitated a moment. "I wonder if you would believe me," I said, "if I told you the truth."
"Game—love!" There came a triumphant cry from Miss York, as Vane with misdirected energy sent a ball soaring into the kitchen garden.