"And what part did you take?" said he, eagerly.
"Oh," she replied, laughing carelessly, "I never do things by halves—so I defended you through thick and thin."
"Excellent girl," cried he, enthusiastically, taking her hand, and pressing it warmly, "how can I ever thank you enough for this kindness?"
"Prenez garde," said she, "gossippers are abroad, and there, I declare, is Miss Lovelace's youngest sister going for her music lesson—all Bath will say we are flirting."
"You know how to contradict such scandal by a word," said he; "but that word, for my sake, you will not speak."
Lucy did not quite understand this last speech; but she did not like to say so, and, therefore, murmured a rapid "Yes."
A slight pause followed; and then he resumed the conversation with such a sudden flow of spirits, that Lucy very soon forgot everything in the pleasure of listening to him, and even suffered him to lengthen the walk by taking a longer route. At the entrance to Sydney Place, he took leave of her, and she returned home, thinking over everything he had said. They had only talked on general topics after all; but then he spoke with a deference to her opinion which was very pleasing. She was in very good humour with herself, and resolved that, after leaving Miss Foster to cool for a week or so, she would call and make up the quarrel in the most generous manner she could. Satisfying her conscience with this, she entered the house, and hastily taking off her bonnet, seated herself, with the rest, at the breakfast-table, in good spirits and with a fresh color, contenting herself with a very laconic description of her morning walk.
CHAPTER VII.
The foe, the foe is on thy track,
Patient, certain, and avenging;
Day by day, solemnly, and silently, followeth the fearful past,
His step is lame, but sure.