Laura knew very well that this, or something like it, was the thought in the lad’s mind as he bade her good-day with lingering eyes. Perhaps she would not have been ill pleased if he had said what he was thinking; but it never entered into his head to pay the girl a compliment: he would have fancied it an impertinence.
‘What a queer, stupid boy he is!’ said Laura to herself, as she peeped back at him while she closed the gate behind her. ‘I can’t help liking him, but he is so provoking, with his enthusiastic, sentimental nonsense. Heigh-ho! There’s the luncheon-bell. And after that there are four hours to be spent somehow before dinner!’
CHAPTER XI.
A RIVAL.
‘Hullo! Semple!’
‘Hullo! Alec!’
‘Didn’t expect to see you here.’
‘As little did I expect to see you.’
‘When did you come?’
‘Only last night; by an excursion steamer.’