Then he took off his hat as Ethel rode up.
"I've come out for a run," he said, the happiness and delight within him showing itself in his eyes, "and I thought perhaps I should find you here."
"Do you want me?" said Fitz, rather puzzled, for there was something in Bertie's face that looked momentous.
"No, I don't want you," said Bertie; "I wanted a word with your sister."
Fitz looked puzzled still, but nodded to Ethel.
"Do you hear that, Eth? He wants to speak to you."
Ethel steered her horse near the rails, and Bertie went up and patted it.
Now that he had the opportunity he did not know what to say, or rather he was loath to say it before Fitz; he would rather have had Ethel alone, and, besides, his news was so precious that he clung to it and hugged it.
"Fitz," he said, "do you mind lending me your nag? It isn't far to walk home."