“For his nose, of course. Do you like him?”
“Very much. I should think he can go well upon wind?”
“Yes, and best pace for thirty minutes—with me up!”
“That is something indeed! I am glad to have made his acquaintance. I must go now. I came this way, you know, because I had an errand to Mrs. Huggate; and by riding across this field, and through the spinney, I evade the tollgate!”
“Is that what you wished to do?”
She said lightly: “To be sure! Everyone desires to evade toll-gates! You must be aware of that!”
“Of course. I could not help hoping that you came this way to see me. Now tell me what a coxcomb I am—but I know it already!”
The smile wavered on her lips; she looked away. “No, indeed! I—that is, Ben told me—and there is something I have been meaning to speak to Mrs. Huggate about!”
“Nell! My love!”
She lifted her head, looking wonderingly up into his face. The next instant she was in his arms, crushed against his great chest. He spoke magical words: “Little love! My dear one!”