Ruperta blushed a little, for the boy's eyes beamed with fire.
“If I believed that,” said she, “I should hire myself out at the next match, and charge twelve pairs of gloves.”
“You may believe it, then; ask anybody whether our luck did not change the moment you came.”
“Then I am afraid it will go now, for I am going.”
“You will lose us the match if you do,” said Compton.
“I can't help it: now you are out, it is rather insipid. There, you see I can pay compliments as well as you.”
Then she made a graceful inclination and moved away.
Compton felt his heart ache at parting. He took a thought and ran quickly to a certain part of the field.
Ruperta and her attendant walked very slowly homeward.
Compton caught them just at their own gate. “Cousin!” said he, imploringly, and held her out a nosegay of cowslips only.