Alec flushed to the roots of his hair.
‘I beg your pardon!’ he exclaimed.
‘Oh, I don’t mind; but—Mrs. Grundy, you know.’
‘Do you know that you can see Ben Lomond from the top of the hill?’ said Alec, suddenly changing the subject.
‘No; really?’
‘Yes; won’t you let me show it to you? It’s a beautiful view, and only a few steps off.’
Miss Mowbray seemed to forget her scruples, for she allowed herself to be led up a narrow winding path, fringed with young trees, which led to the top of the rising ground.
‘If I had known you a little longer,’ began Laura, with some hesitation, ‘I think I would have ventured to give you a little bit of my mind.’
‘About what?’ asked Alec with sudden eagerness.
Laura shook her head gravely.