This remark made Jenny laugh, and set her more at ease. She was not particular as to forms and ceremonies herself, and the idea that a young man should apologize for such a trifle struck her as ridiculous. Moreover, a glance assured her that Mr. Larcher was by no means a formidable person. He was decidedly good-looking, and had pleasant blue eyes, with a kindly look, so speech and glance broke the ice at once between them.
"Do you stay here long, Mr. Larcher?" she asked, pointedly ignoring her previous conversation with Tait.
"As long as I may," he replied, smiling. "London does not invite me at this time of the year. I prefer the fragrant country to the dusty town."
"He is a true lover of the fields, Miss Paynton," broke in Tait, admiring her self-possession, "and insisted that I should come out for a walk, so that he might lose no time in steeping himself in the sweetness of nature. Quite idyllic, isn't it?"
"Quite!" said Jenny lightly. "Good-by at present, Mr. Larcher! I am going to the vicarage, and have not a moment to spare. Mr. Tait, can I speak with you a minute?"
Tait obeyed with alacrity, and Claude was left to muse on the fresh charm of Jenny, and the sweetness of her voice. Her trim figure, her exquisite neatness, and springing gait made him admire her greatly, and when she tripped away with a smiling nod, he was so taken up in watching her that he failed to observe the grave face with which Tait joined him.
"As I thought," said the latter, when they resumed their walk.
"What is up now?"
"Oh, nothing more than usual! Hilliston has called on Paynton already. He is there now."
"You don't say so! I did not think he would have been so smart. However, you have stolen a march on him. Do you intend to see him now? To wait his coming out?"