Sir Stephen owns some land there,
and--and some of his people come from there."
Howard laughed.
"I see. Been there since they came over with the Conqueror. The
Herald's College will have no difficulty in finding a coat-of-arms.
Something with a Kaffir and a railway in it."
She smiled tolerantly.
"You always make fun of everything, Mr. Howard. If only Stafford would
care--"
She sighed, and a moment afterwards her hand went to her lip with the
gesture of a nervous school-girl. She had heard Stafford's voice in the
hall.
He came in and greeted her gravely, and, Howard being present, merely
took her hand.
"You two conspiring as usual?" he said, with a smile, with the smile
which indicates a mind from which mirth has been absent for some time.
"Yes," said Howard; "we have been plotting the cotillon and very
properly arranging that the prize shall go to the wisest, the nicest,
and best-looking man in the room. I need not tell you his name?" He
spread his hand on his heart, and bowed with mock complacency. "And now
I will go and find Sir Stephen and get a cigarette before the battle
begins.
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