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124 "As I have told you, my grandmother was a French-woman, Miss Valliant. But I have knocked about among the Arabs a good deal, and I learned to speak"

There was a sudden crash. Trant had jumped up hastily and had overturned a chair. Blake's sentence remained unfinished.

"By Jove, you've got some nice firearms here," said Lord Horace, who had been examining a rack of guns and pistols over the chimney-piece. "These are stunners—all the latest improvements. I see you are prepared for Moonlight."

Was it Elsie's fancy, that as Frank Hallett and the other men came up to examine the weapons, a sudden glance was interchanged by the partners? Anyhow she thought that Blake rather hastily interposed. "Never mind those, Lord Horace, I am sure luncheon is ready. Come—Trant, will you bring Miss Valliant? Lord Horace, please show Miss Garfit the way."

He offered his arm to Ina, and Elsie accepted that of Trant. Luncheon was not quite ready, but the delay afforded opportunity for admiring the view from the verandah of the dining room, which looked out on Mount Luya. Trant was full of apologies for his bachelor housekeeping, which, however, were unnecessary, for the meal was excellently served, and he was much complimented by Mrs. Jem Hallett, who considered herself an authority in such matters, and who made a mental memorandum that she would always in future give her guests coffee after luncheon.

It was mid-afternoon before the coffee had been drunk, they were again mounted, and on their way back to Point Row. Frank Hallett got beside Elsie at the start, and Blake was fain to content himself with Lady Horace. Ina did not, care much for Blake, but she made herself as agreeable as she could, because she wanted to keep him from Elsie. Lady Horace was beginning to be a little frightened of Blake's influence over Elsie.

Hallett was not quite himself, or was it that Elsie was disturbed and preoccupied? "Have you enjoyed your day?" he asked.