"Oh, yes, I am. There's one thing I haven't got yet," he said, a slow, curious smile curving his fine mouth.
He did not look at her as he spoke, which fact was her salvation. She could rule her voice, but not the rebel blood that waved live banners in her cheeks.
"Obviously," she returned lightly, "there must be a mistress for Lone Ash when it is built. Is this what you're waiting for?"
Her own daring dazzled her. It was a thing that he could not possibly conceive her saying had she had any notion of who he was.
"Yes," he answered quietly, "that's what I'm waiting for."
"And that's just what you'll never get by waiting!" she cried gaily.
He turned sharply upon her. "How do you know? What do you mean?" he asked, amazed.
"If you want a wife, you must go in search of one," she answered mischievously. "They don't drop into people's mouths."
"Well, that's what I will do," was his tranquil answer; "but one thing at a time, you know."
"One thing at a time," she echoed, lightly; and as she spoke, he checked his horse at the gate of a field.