'Ah! my maid, here's a lame leg that can't manage the steep. You must take my proxy, Christian here.'
'But that's another matter,' she said; 'I doubt if I be free.'
Christian's face clouded, but he had no notion of pressing her to exchange obligation for inclination. When he was away, Rhoda asked, troubled and timid:
'I have vexed him. Is it for this? or that I was curious——'
'About that doubled thumb? Not that. He'll clear that to you himself if I know him. Well, then, I will, to spare it him.'
He set forth Christian's position and the ordeal not yet quite suspended.
Rhoda went straight after Christian. She presented both hands to him. With a glowing cheek and brave eyes, 'I will walk with you!' she said.
'I am proud, cousin! But so? What of Philip?'
With a saucy sparkle she said, 'Do not flounces become a girl's wear, then? You shall see. Or do you expect a broken head of him?'
There was more of childish mischief than of coquetry in her face.