While these two exchanged a hand-grasp and a look—no more; but that was enough—Miss Cascoigne sat, routed, but unconquered still. She might have made one more effort at warfare but that Barker opportunely entered with the evening post-bag.
"Barker!" said Dr. Grey, as the man was closing the door.
"Yes master."
The master paused a second before speaking. "You know Sir Edwin
Uniacke?"
"To be sure, sir," with a repressed twitch of the mouth, which showed he knew only too much, as Barker was apt to do of all college affairs.
"If he should call again, say the ladies are engaged; but should he ask for me, show him at once to my study."
"Very well, master."
And Barker, as he went out of the dining-room, broke into a broad grin; but it was behind the back of the master.
Chapter 11.
"A warm hearth, and a bright hearth, and a hearth swept clean,
Where tongs don't raise a dust, and the broom isn't seen;
Where the coals never fly abroad, and the soot doesn't fall,
Oh, that's the fire for a man like me, in cottage or in hall.