The two girls were playing lawn tennis with Chetwynd and Captain Danvers; and Sir Bridgnorth, who had arrived about an hour previously, was conversing with Lady Thicknesse and Mrs. Calverley. It was rather unfortunate that all the ladies should be in mourning, but in spite of the sombre costumes the scene looked gay and pleasant.
Mrs. Calverley had sent her carriage to the station for Lord Courland and Scrope, and no sooner had his lordship alighted than, without waiting for any formal announcement by Norris, he flew to that part of the lawn where Teresa was seated.
She did not wait till he came up, but hastened towards him, and a very lover-like meeting took place. So much ardour as Teresa now displayed seemed scarcely consistent with her character, but either she was passionately in love with Lord Courland, or she feigned to be so.
After exchanging a few words, and we suppose we must add a few kisses, they walked off to another part of the garden, having, apparently, a great deal to say to each other that would not brook an instant's delay.
Lady Thicknesse and Sir Bridgnorth looked after them with a smile.
“Well, and how do you like Ouselcroft?” inquired Teresa.
“I have hardly had time to look around me,” he replied, gazing on her. “At present, I can behold only one object.”
“But I really want to have your opinion. Does the place equal your expectations?”
“It surpasses them.”
“You have seen nothing yet. You ran away from the lawn, which is the prettiest part.”