'I met her in the avenue——'
'And you knew each other—how strange!' exclaimed Lady Aberfeldie, with a brightening face.
'Yes, after a minute or two. She seems as charming a girl as one—to use a soldier's phrase—might see in the longest day's march.'
'And such she is. She did not turn back with you?'
'No, mother,' he replied, with hesitation.
'But she was, of course, glad to see you?'
'I can't say that she was particularly, mater dear; and she got into a regular pet because I dared to kiss her, even in a cousinly way.'
'Dared, my darling boy!' exclaimed his mother, indignantly.
'Fact, mater,' said the Master, smiling and twirling up the ends of his long dark moustaches.
Lady Aberfeldie and her daughter exchanged a swift and mutual glance; but the latter knew more of the views of the young lady in question than the former did.