"I say, we've seen the best part of the ruins," he remarked. "The renovation's hideous. Let's go in the wood—and I'll show you a squirrel's nest."
Sybil hesitated. Her thoughts for a moment were in confusion. Then she sighed once and turned towards the wood.
"I have never seen a squirrel's nest," she said. "Is it far?"
Lady Caroom put her sketch away as she heard their approaching footsteps, and looked up. Atherstone's happiness was too ridiculously apparent. He came straight over to her.
"You'll give her to me, won't you?" he exclaimed. "'Pon my word, she shall be the happiest woman in England if I can make her so. I'm perfectly certain I'm the happiest man."
Lady Caroom pressed her daughter's hand, and they all turned to descend the hill.
"Of course I'm charmed," Lady Caroom said. "Sybil makes me feel so elderly. But I don't know what I shall do for a chaperon now."
Atherstone laughed.
"I'm your son-in-law," he said. "I can take you out."
Sybil shook her head.