Another tug at the oars to show it. “No,” she continues, speaking between the plunges, “I want no protector—at least not yet—nor for a long while.”

“But there’s one wants you,” says the companion, accompanying her words with an interrogative glance. “And soon—soon as he can have you.”

“Indeed! I suppose you mean Master George Shenstone. Have I hit the nail upon the head?”

“You have.”

“Well; what of him?”

“Only that everybody observes his attentions to you.”

“Everybody is a very busy body. Being so observant, I wonder if this everybody has also observed how I receive them?”

“Indeed, yes.”

“How then?”

“With favour. ’Tis said you think highly of him.”