Dick experienced a slight shock of disappointment, succeeded by a sense of foreboding. He fell back at once, and replaced his hat on the stand.
As for Alice, she felt a sudden inclination to draw back, herself. But that was not to be thought of. Mrs. Parish and Mr. Miles were waiting now at the gate. Alice went out and told them that Dick was, after all, staying behind with the Colonel.
"Not coming?" cried Mrs. Parish. "Why, I had promised myself a long chat with him!" which, as it happened, though Dick was no favourite of hers, was strictly true. "Where is Mr. Pinckney?"
"Busy writing to catch the post."
"And Dr. Robson?"
"Cousin Philip has gone to read the lessons for the Gateby schoolmaster, his new friend. Had we not better start?"
The three set out, walking slowly up the road, for Mrs. Parish was a really old lady, and it was only the truly marvellous proportion of sinew and bone in her composition, combined with a romantic and well-nigh fanatical desire to serve the most charming of men, that fortified her to attempt so formidable a walk.
"You men are blind," she had told her idol, among other things on the steps. "Where a word would end all, you will not speak."
"You honestly think it would end it the right way?" Miles had asked her.
"I do not think, I know," the old woman had said for the fiftieth time.