“I am waiting for my cousin,� she replied, and then blushed hotly. “I promised to wait five minutes,� she explained hastily, “while he talked to Mr. Saxton at the farm. I suppose it’s politics; we’ve been here long enough to quarrel three times.�
Trench assumed her engagement to Jacob Eaton and would not offer his escort a second time. “I am taking the dog through the woods,� he said; “shall we walk as far as the farm gate?�
Diana laughed merrily. “I never went in search of a lost knight in my life,� she said. “I’m going on; it’s quite light and beautiful yet—good evening.�
Trench swung around. “I will go with you,� he said at once, “if you will permit me.�
But at that moment Jacob Eaton came up. As he recognized Trench, he stopped short and stared. Then he joined Diana without acknowledging her companion. “Sorry to keep you waiting,� he said, “but the old fool was deaf. We may as well go on, Diana.�
But Diana stood still. “This is Mr. Trench,� she said.
The two men looked at each other. Eaton had just heard more of what Caleb Trench thought of the Land Company, but he knew Diana.
“How d’ye do,� he said curtly.
Trench made no reply. Diana gathered up the soft white folds of her skirt and took two steps away. “Good-night, Jacob,� she said sweetly, “Mr. Trench will see me home. Tell Cousin Jinny I’ll bring over the terrapin recipe in the morning.�
Jacob said nothing, and Trench whistled to Shot. The dog came bounding and followed his master and Miss Royall down the path.