"I shall like it very much—it is very kind of her," said Margaret. "I may, Sir?"
"With all my heart, my child," said Mr. Grey.
"Ay, I should first have asked your uncle, should not I?" said Hubert laughing. "Have you been out to-day?"
"No—not yet."
"Oh! bless me, of course it is too early," said he, taking out a diminutive watch, which looked more striking on him than on a person of ordinary dimensions. "I wonder you are up at this hour."
"You are keeping Miss Gage in the cold all this time," said Margaret.
"So I am, but I cannot get away," he returned, looking archly at her.
She wished she could help colouring, but the beautiful crimson stole over her cheeks at the implied compliment.
"Don't you think us half mad to ride in such weather?" asked Hubert. "The truth is, I wished to see Bessy in her habit again."