The garden door opened and shut; a white-capped servant came along the path. A gentleman—for Miss Fountain.
"For me?" The girl's cheek flushed involuntarily. "Why, Pater—who is it?"
For behind the servant came the gentleman—a tall and comely youth, with narrow blue eyes, a square chin, and a very conscious smile. He was well dressed in a dark serge suit, and showed a great deal of white cuff, and a conspicuous watch-chain, as he took off his hat.
"Hubert!"
Laura advanced to him, with a face of astonishment, and held out her hand.
Mason greeted her with a mixture of confusion and assurance, glancing behind her at the Friedlands all the time. "Well, I was here on some business—and I thought I'd look you up, don't you know?"
"My cousin, Hubert Mason," said Laura, turning to the old people.
Friedland lifted his wide-awake. Mrs. Friedland, whose gentle face could be all criticism, eyed him quietly, and shook hands perfunctorily. A few nothings passed on the weather and the spring. Suddenly Mason said:
"Would you take a walk with me, Miss Laura?"
After a momentary hesitation, she assented, and went into the house for her walking things. Mason hurriedly approached the doctor.