“I believe so,” said the clergyman, shortly.
“So you see, you’re not putting me to any inconvenience at all,” went on the young man.
“Oh, I didn’t think of that,” said Miss Denison, with a little laugh and a pretty turn of the head. “In my part of the world it is never an inconvenience to see a lady home.”
In the meantime they had all crossed the hall and arrived at the front door, where Mr. Brander, with a reluctant frown at his male visitor, again shook hands warmly with Olivia, and told her not to lose heart. He watched the ill-assorted pair as they went down the lane until they turned into the high road. Until they reached this point they proceeded in silence, but as soon as they began to descend the hill, the young man found voice after his snub.
“You’re deuced sharp on a fellow,” he said then in a conciliatory tone. “It wasn’t my fault that I turned up when the parson was making sheeps’ eyes at you.”
“If I am to put up with your society until I reach the Hall gates, I really must ask you to abstain from making offensive remarks,” said Olivia, icily.
“Offensive! Oh, all right. But I warn you that parson chap is a deal more likely to be offensive than I am. By Jove!” he continued, after a freezing pause; “if you weren’t such a pretty girl I’m hanged if I’d go a step further with you, after your rudeness.”
“In your own choice language, ‘I’m hanged if you shall,’” answered Miss Denison, with spirit.
Before the astonished young man could recover his speech, the girl had flown down the hill like an arrow with the wind. He had admired her before; for this display of spirit he felt that he adored her. At this point the road made a circuitous bend which could be cut off by one familiar with the place by crossing the fields. Fred Williams was through a gap in the hedge in a moment, and on regaining the road he was a few yards ahead of the still flying lady. Darting out upon her as she passed, he seized her by the arm; and as the attack was unexpected, she staggered for a second.
“You’re a splendid runner, but you can’t beat me,” said the young gentleman, with what was meant to be an alluring mixture of admiration and manly condescension.