Scattered rooks swept down the wind and settled
in a field. The moorhens had forsaken the ruffled water of the ponds and
sought shelter among the withered sedge. Puffs of white steam from the
engine flew across and were lost in the leafless trees. Embankments
suddenly showed themselves high in the air, and as suddenly dipped
again; then there were long stretches of coppice, with red bracken, and
a sprinkling of gold on the oaks. To Lionel the time went by all too
quickly; before he had said the half of what he wanted to say, behold!
here they were at Preston Park.
"You are at least remaining over until to-morrow?" Lady Cunyngham asked
him.
"Well, no," said he, "I did not think of coming down until this morning,
and so I had made no arrangements. I should think it hardly likely there
would be a vacant bedroom at the Orleans Club at this time of year--no,
in any case, I must get back by the 8.40 to-night."
"And in the meantime," she asked again, "have you any engagement?"
"None. I dare say I shall have a stroll along the sea-front, and then
drop in for lunch at the Orleans."
"You might as well come down now and lunch with us," said she, simply.
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