Sydney saw considerably¹ less of her cousin after the arrival of Sir Algernon.
He announced that he had come to spend Christmas, much to the relief of Lady Frederica, who declared it would be “such a comfort to have somebody to amuse St. Quentin.” He himself acquiesced² in the arrangement without saying much, or expressing pleasure or the reverse.
The new inmate³ of the Castle was distinctly an addition to its liveliness. He and Lady Frederica had several acquaintances in common, and Sydney and Miss Osric, sitting quietly at the dinner-table, found their ideas of various distinguished⁴ persons most uncomfortably disarranged. Sir Algernon had a knack⁵, however, of suiting his conversation to his company. When he overtook Sydney and her governess
[106]
 returning from taking soup to a sick child in the village, he walked between them, talking very pleasantly of the historical associations and romantic stories connected with St. Quentin Castle—a subject particularly interesting to Sydney, who was beginning to feel a certain pride in the past of the grand old house to which she belonged.
It may be presumed that his conversation pleased St. Quentin also, for his guest was shut up with him a good deal in the library, smoking and talking.
In other ways besides amusing conversation, Sir Algernon’s presence was a boon⁶ to the ladies. He was a first-rate whip, and the four-in-hand which St. Quentin used to drive was had out from the stables—where it and his shattered motor-car had stood so long idle together—for the benefit of Sir Algernon. He took Lady Frederica and Sydney out in it: one day they even went as far as Donisbro’ and lunched at the principal hotel there.
Sydney wished to lunch at the Deanery, that she might return a book Miss Morrell had lent her, but this Lady Frederica would not allow.
“If you will solemnly swear not to go into the Deanery drawing-room on any excuse
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 whatsoever

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