"Excellent!" cried Hoffland, with a well-satisfied expression, and a glance of intelligence directed toward Lucy. "I believe that we men may study all our lives and break our heads with logic before we can approach the acuteness of one of these ladies. Study is nothing compared with natural instinct and genius!"
Denis rose with a sigh.
"You remind me, Mr. Hoffland," he said, "that I have a long chapter in Blackstone to study; and it is already late."
"And I also have my studies," said Hoffland; "I think I will return with you, Mr. Denis."
"You came to stay, Charles! You shall both stay," said Mowbray, "and I will give you Blackstone's——"
"No, really, Ernest," said Hoffland, with a business air which made Lucy laugh.
"And indeed I must return," said Denis, sighing.
"Ah, gentlemen, gentlemen!" said Mowbray, "you pay a fashionable call. Why, Charles, you absolutely promised to stay."
"Yes, but I have changed my mind," said the boy, looking toward Lucy; "and if Mr. Denis will ride with me in your curricle, or whatever it is, you might ride his horse in, in the morning.
"Very well," said Mowbray.