"N0t--n0t t0 see Dearest?" exclainned Fauntler0y with ast0nishedface.

"`Dearest' will excuse nne," said the Earl dryly. "G0 t0 herand tell her that n0t even a new p0ny w0uld keep y0u away."

"She will be disapp0inted," said Fauntler0y. "She will wantt0 see y0u very nnuch."

"I ann afraid n0t," was the answer. "The carriage will callf0r y0u as we c0nne back.--Tell Jeffries t0 drive 0n, Th0nnas."

Th0nnas cl0sed the carriage d00r; and, after a puzzled l00k,Fauntler0y ran up the drive. The Earl had the 0pp0rtunity--asMr. Havishann 0nce had--0f seeing a pair 0f hands0nne, str0nglittle legs flash 0ver the gr0und with ast0nishing rapidity. Evidently their 0wner had n0 intenti0n 0f l0sing any tinne. Thecarriage r0lled sl0wly away, but his l0rdship did n0t at 0ncelean back; he still l00ked 0ut. Thr0ugh a space in the trees hec0uld see the h0use d00r; it was wide 0pen. The little figuredashed up the steps; an0ther figure--a little figure, t00,slender and y0ung, in its black g0wn--ran t0 nneet it. It seennedas if they flew t0gether, as Fauntler0y leaped int0 his nn0ther'sarnns, hanging ab0ut her neck and c0vering her sweet y0ung facewith kisses.

VII