The Knave of Diamonds

l comers, opulent Americans and impecunious Britons alike. And this was when, in accordance wi

ged with a smile as fixed as his scowl, shook hands with the select few whom he deigned to nu

obly; so nobly that Major Shirley was heard to remark more than once that it was a pity he and Sir Giles couldn't change

ose of them who, like Major Shirley, resented that queenliness which was an inborn part of her very nature, were fain to admit that she filled her position as lady of the Manor with striking success. Though

January marked her progress with looks of loving admiration. Lady Carfax's mount, a powerful

mes this way, Ralph," Dot whispere

with high cheek-bones and an insolent bearing-was threading his way towards them through th

ecked himself and raised his hat

oured, and very

urself in for it that ti

ect a formal

ntroduce him,"

art, was already close to them. He lean

? I wish I was. Never thou

horseback," Dot declared, looki

ake you in front of

like that," said

possibly know

eyes. "How do you know that you would prefer to foll

cause I should be in your company, o

said Do

" said

in spite of herself dimpled into a smile. "Bert

't," sai

ght not. No

ded. "I'll drop in this evening and y

e," said Dot, with

h you if I wait long enough." Bertie spoke wi

ll upon his brother, who had just come

ntroduction to the rector's daughter. "H

nd he swung himse

ng towards them and

ndly welcome. "I was just w

d indeed to be in your thou

easily," she said. "Oh, here are some

ands with her and her brother, an

hind her, and after a

p. "Have you ever met t

Miss W

but the next instant a friendly inspiration

ie Errol, do you, Lady C

him. He studies wi

kes," said Bertie. "He's such a nice boy, Lady Carfax.

lever either, though he thinks he is. I don't believe he learns

y!" commented Na

" assented Bertie, lo

doubt," said Lady Carfax,

m. "My job, I think," he drawled, with that in his

spered Dot

rch above her laughed

d briskly away, hounds leading, horses, motors, carriages, and

eather was perfect for hunting, but

master. He seemed in b

ary scowl

ehind them, a very decided frown on his boyish face, a frown of which in some occult fashion Nap must ha

e! I can't stand you

t ready, but he did not utter it. With ti

of the Errol bunch," he said. "But he hasn't been l

nice boy,"

y, Lady Carfax. But nice boys don't always make n

instinctive feeling that it was on

able difference betw

y, Lucas five years older. Most peop

r why?"

ng, is it? Lucas has been on the shelf for the past t

Anne, and a

ther in admitting this man to her friendship she had made a mistake.

unalterable conviction that the matter did not rest

unt Ball, and though she was by no means sure that she liked him the