Humphrey discreetly forbore to let Lucy know that it was at George's earnest desire he had determined to make this proposal to their mother.
'Tell me, Master Humphrey, will Mr Sidney be coming this way to-day?'
'It may be; he had to choose two extra horses from George's stalls for the journey. George himself is, of course, to be in attendance, and one of our serving men as groom. It is possible that Mr Sidney may be coming either to-day or on the morrow.'
'He will not pass without seeing Mary. I wish—'
But Lucy had not time to say what the wish was, for Mary Gifford and her little son were now seen coming along a field path which led down the hillside from the open country beyond.
Humphrey stepped forward quickly to meet them, and lifted Ambrose over the stile, in spite of his declaration that he could get over by himself.
Humphrey tossed the child high in the air before he set him on his legs again, and then said to Mary,—
'Out on a mission of mercy, as is your wont, Mistress Gifford.'
Mary's colour rose as she said,—
'The sick and poor are always in the world.'