ONLY THE MARE 139 



till past eight, for the aunt was coming, and Nellie 

 was afraid the visitor would be offended if they did 

 not wait for her. 



" You look very bored and tired, sir ! " said 

 Nellie pouting prettily; "I believe you'd yawn if 

 it wasn't rude ! " 



I assured her that I could not, under any cir- 

 cumstances, be guilty of such an enormity. 



" It's just a quarter past seven. We'll go and 

 meet the carriage, and then perhaps you'll be able 

 to keep awake until dinner-time ! " and so with a 

 look of dignity which would have been very effective 

 if the merry smile in her eyes had been less apparent, 

 the little lady swept out of the room ; to return 

 shortly arrayed in furs, and a most coquettish- 

 looking hat, and the smallest and neatest possible 

 pair of boots, which in their efforts to appear 

 strong and sturdy only made their extreme delicacy 

 more decided. 



" Come, sleepy boy ! " said she, holding out a 

 grey-gloved hand. I rose submissively, and followed 

 her out of the snug drawing-room to the open air. 



Bertie was outside, smoking. 



" We are going to meet the aunt, dear," explained 

 Nellie. " I'm afraid she'll be cross, because it's so 

 cold." 



" She's not quite so inconsequent as that, I should 



