“With you at the oars?” she asked.

“Of course,” said Locker.

“I am amazed,” said she, “that you should suspect me of such cold-blooded cruelty.”

“You know you don’t want him here,” said Claude.  “His salary can not be large, and he must spend the greater part of it on clothes—­and oil.”

“Is it possible,” she asked, “that you look upon that young man as a rival?”

“By no means,” he replied; “such persons never marry.  They only prevent other people from marrying anybody.  Therefore it is that I remember what sort of a boatman I am.”

“My dear,” said Mr. Fox, when he and his wife had retired to their room, “after hearing what that Austrian has to say of the American people, I almost revere Mr. Locker.”

“I heard some of his remarks,” she said, “and I imagined they would have an effect of that kind upon you.”

When the Broadstone surrey came from the train the next morning it brought a gentleman.

“What!” exclaimed Mrs. Fox, when from the other side of the lawn she saw him alight.  “Another young man with a valise!  It seems to me that this is an overdose!”

“Overdoses,” remarked Mr. Fox, “are often less dangerous than just enough poison.”

Mrs. Easterfield received this visitor at the door.  She had been waiting for him, and did not wish him to meet anybody when she was not present.  After offering his respectful salutations, Mr. Hemphill, Mr. Easterfield’s secretary in the central office of the D. and J., delivered without delay a package of which he was the bearer, and apologized for his valise, stating that Mr. Easterfield had told him he must spend the night at Broadstone.

“Most assuredly you would do that,” said she, and to herself she added, “If I want you longer I will let you know.”

Mr. Rupert Hemphill was a very handsome man; his nose was fine; his eyes were dark and expressive; he wore silky side-whiskers, which, however, did not entirely conceal the bloom upon his cheeks; his teeth were very good; he was well shaped; and his clothes fitted him admirably.

As has been said before, Mrs. Easterfield was exceedingly interested; she was even a little agitated, which was not common with her.  She had Mr. Hemphill conducted to his room, and then she waited for him to come down; this also was not common with her.

“Mr. Locker,” she called from the open door, “do you know where Miss Asher is?”

The poet stopped in his stride across the lawn, and approached the lady.  “Oh, she is with the Du Brant,” said he.  “I have been trying to get in some of my French, but neither of them will rise to the fly.  However, I am content; it is now three hours before luncheon, and if she has him to herself for that length of time, I think she will be thoroughly disgusted.  Then it will be my time, as per agreement.”

Mrs. Easterfield was a little disappointed.  She wanted Olive by herself, but she did not want to make a point of sending for her.  But fortune favored her.