Page:Outlawandlawmak00praegoog.djvu/186

174 which opened on to the verandah, lest, perchance, she might encounter Blake. But Blake was at his office, as befitted a new minister, anxious to learn his duties, and there was no need for that startled flush which caught Lord Waveryng's attention.

"By Jove," she heard him say, "do they breed 'em like this out here?"

"My wife's sister, Miss Valliant," said Horace, as she opened the gate of the verandah. "Elsie, this is Waveryng. Brought 'em straight along to see Ina, in spite of the Stukeleys."

"Lady Stukeley will understand perfectly," said Lord Waveryng. "Em made it straight. Of course Em wanted to see the new sister-in-law." And thus Elsie gleaned that the Waveryngs meant to be nice.

"They're bricks, ain't they?" said Horace aside.

Ina was in the sitting-room, where a very trim, very handsome, very decided, and rather voluble lady had taken possession of her. Lady Waveryng was a beauty. She was very like her brother, Lord Horace, and had charming manners, though her once lovely complexion had got a little spoiled in the hunting field. Hunting and yachting were the two things she liked best in the world. Elsie heard her say she only wished their yacht had been big enough to go round the world in, but on the whole she wasn't sure that she did not prefer ocean steamers; and the passengers made it more amusing. They had had a perfectly lovely time in Ceylon. Singapore was so interesting, and the whole Torres Straits route delightful.

"And this is Elsie, I am sure," and she got up as Elsie entered.

"Horace sent us your photograph with Ina's, to show us how easy it was to fall in love with Australian girls."

Lady Waveryng shook Elsie's hand warmly, and then she kissed Ina.

They must fly. She did not know what the Stukeleys would say to her. And there was so much to be done. And she understood there was to be a ball that evening