"Oh, at Lord Musselburgh's?" said she, with a distinct (but cautious) change of manner. "Oh, really. Lord Musselburgh's. But why should you want to introduce me to them, Vin?"
"Because," said he, "they have never met any member of our family: and as you are the most goodnatured and the prettiest, I want to produce a favourable impression at the outset."
She laughed and was not displeased.
"There are some other qualities that seem to characterise our family—impudence for one," she observed. "Well, come along, then, Vin: where are your friends?"
"In a house-boat down there—the White Rose."
"The White Rose? I noticed it yesterday—very pretty—whose is it?"
"Mine for the present; I rented it for the week," he replied.
"Who are the other members of your party?"
"None—only those two."
But here she paused at the top of the steps; and said in an undertone—