"I saw your chestnut this morning, Mrs. Gage. He is superb. I hardly know such a beautiful head."
"Has he not? And so tame. Did George go with you?"
"He did, and the chestnut held a very rational conversation with him?"
"You admire him, as much as I did your altar-cloth."
"I do, indeed."
"I think you must have got it on purpose for your wedding, Mr. Havleoc," said Harriet.
"I am afraid it will not serve that turn," he replied; "for there is no lady in my parish above the condition of a small farmer's daughter. Tynebrook is a wilderness."
"Ah, true! the lady must be married in her own parish," said Harriet, narrowly regarding his countenance.
"That is the etiquette, I believe," he said, gravely; and as she did not speak again directly, he turned quietly and courteously away, and walked to the library.
As soon as Harriet made the move, most of the party strolled away under the trees. The officer, who was unusually disagreeable in Margaret's eyes, asked her if she would not follow their example, and offered his arm, as if to decide her choice.