After standing silently aloof for several minutes, he went slowly up to her.
"Your brother has made wonderful progress since I left, Miss Allonby," he remarked, stiffly.
"Yes, hasn't he?" she said, with a smile, her eyes still fixed on the boat. "Do just look at my sister; she is trying to pull, and she is only accustomed to Thames rowing; she does not know what to do without a button to her oar."
He did not look, he kept his eyes rivetted on her calm face.
"You look much better for your stay in Devonshire, too," he said, determined to make the conversation personal.
"Yes, so the girls say. I was rather over-worked when I first came down. How calm it is, isn't it? Hardly a wavelet. I think even I could go out without feeling unhappy to-day."
"May I take you presently? I am pretty well used to sea-rowing. My brother's place in Ireland is on the coast."
"Thanks, I should like to come; we will make up a party—Hilda and Mr. Fowler——"
"You are determined to give me plenty of work. I suggested pulling one person—not three. There are four boats; let them take another; but perhaps you don't care to go without Mr. Fowler."
This speech approached nearer to being rude than anything she had ever heard from the courteous Claud. It made her very angry. She lifted her eyes and allowed them to meet his calmly.