"Ah, don't speak of that," Nick murmured. "Only be nice to my mother: we shall make her supremely happy."
"I'm glad I like your people," Mrs. Dallow dropped. "Leave them to me!"
"You're generous—you're noble," stammered Nick.
"Your mother must live at Broadwood; she must have it for life. It's not at all bad."
"Ah, Julia," her companion replied, "it's well I love you!"
"Why shouldn't you?" laughed Julia; and after this there was nothing said between them till the boat touched the shore. When she had got out Mrs. Dallow remarked that it was time for luncheon; but they took no action in consequence, strolling in a direction which was not that of the house. There was a vista that drew them on, a grassy path skirting the foundations of scattered beeches and leading to a stile from which the charmed wanderer might drop into another division of Mrs. Dallow's property. This lady said something about their going as far as the stile; then the next instant she exclaimed: "How stupid of you—you've forgotten Mr. Hoppus!"
"We left him in the temple of Vesta. Darling, I had other things to think of there."
"I'll send for him," said Mrs. Dallow.
"Lord, can you think of him now?" Nick asked.
"Of course I can—more than ever."
"Shall we go back for him?" Nick inquired, pausing.
Mrs. Dallow made no answer; she continued to walk, saying they would go as far as the stile. "Of course I know you're fearfully vague," she presently resumed.
