"No, Mr. Humphries," returned Margaret quietly.
"No, Miss Capel?" said Mr. Humphries uneasily.
"I think not," replied Margaret smiling at the question.
"But then, Miss Capel, if one is prevented from marrying one's first love, what can one do?"
"Those who think love necessary must remain, single you know, Mr. Humphries; but most people will marry some one else."
And so completely did she feel that love with her was past for ever, that she discussed the topic with as much calmness as if she had been fifty years old.
"But one would not like to keep single for ever, you know, Miss Capel," said Mr. Humphries.
Margaret highly amused at the idea of being selected as a confidante on such short notice, merely laughed at this declaration; which Mr. Humphries enforced by one of his widest smiles thereby disclosing, the only beauty he possessed; namely, a singularly fine set of teeth.
It was almost dark when they arrived before the Manor House, but Harriet insisted that there was light enough to see some remarkably curious birds, which were kept in a part of the ornamental grounds.
Mr. Gage and Margaret could not but follow, although he represented to her the imprudence of hanging over a pond at sunset after being heated with riding.