The horses dropped to a walk. “But if I had, Sir Anthony... What then?”
“You might still rest assured of my friendship.”
There was a warm feeling about her heart, but he did not know the full sum of it, alack.
“You are very kind, Sir Anthony — to an unknown youth.”
“I believe I remarked to you once that I have an odd liking for you, little man. One of these strange twists in one’s affections for which there is no accounting. If I can serve you at any time I desire you will let me know it.”
“I have to thank you, sir.” She could find no other words.
“You may perhaps have noticed, my dear boy, that my friends call me Tony,” he said.
She bent to fiddle with her stirrup leather, and her reply was somewhat inarticulate. When she sat straight again in the saddle she showed a heightened colour, but it might have been due to the stooping posture.