Walter looked queer. This was a turn he had not counted on.
"Do you think I couldn't, sir?" said she, sharply.
"It is not for me to limit the power of beauty," said Walter, meekly.
"Say the power of flattery. I could cajole any man in the world—if
I chose."
"Then you are a dangerous creature, and I will make Fitzroy my shield.
I'm off to the Dun Cow."
"You are a duck," said this impetuous beauty. "So there!" She took him round the neck with both hands, and gave him a most delicious kiss.
"Why, he must be mad," replied the recipient, bluntly. She laughed at that, and he went straight to the Dun Cow. He found young Fitzroy sitting rather disconsolate, and opened his errand at once by asking him if it was true that they were to lose him.
Percy replied stiffly that it was true.
"What a pity!" said Walter.
"I d—don't think I shall be m—much m—missed," said Percy, rather sullenly.