"Rather. Nevertheless, I accept the compliment. Are you in training? or where are you going in such a hurry?"
"A mere constitutional," says Cyril, lightly,—which is a base and ready lie. "Good-bye, I won't detain you longer. Long ago I learned the useful lesson that where 'two is company, three is trumpery.' Don't look as though you would like to devour me, Guy: I meant no harm."
Lilian laughs, so does Guy, and Cyril continues his hurried walk.
"Where does that path lead to?" asks Lilian, looking after him as he disappeared rapidly in the distance.
"To The Cottage first, and then to the gamekeeper's lodge, and farther on to another entrance-gate that opens on the road."
"Perhaps he will see your pretty tenant on his way?"
"I hardly think so. It seems she never goes beyond her own garden."
"Poor thing! I feel the greatest curiosity about her, indeed I might say an interest in her. Perhaps she is unhappy."
"Perhaps so; though her manner is more frozen than melancholy. She is almost forbidding, she is so cold."