While Mr. Simms was gone down the brook, however, Mme. Lasalle permitted the pair next below to pass her and go up to stop Mr. Lasalle and Wych Hazel from proceeding any further. So it came to pass that the highest group on the stream was composed of four instead of two; and the additional two were Stuart Nightingale and Miss Annabella Powder. Now the fishing rods were put into the ladies' hands; now the cavaliers attentively supplied their hooks with what was supposed to be bait, and performing afterwards the same office for their own, the brook presently had the appearance, or would to a bird's-eye view, of a brook in toils.
'What do we expect to catch, sir?' asked Miss Kennedy of Mr. Lasalle, as she watched his motions and dropped her own line in imitation.
'If I were a member of the firm, I should say, "all hearts," mademoiselle, without doubt.'
'For shame, Mr. Lasalle!' cried Miss Powder.
'Fish are made to be caught, mademoiselle,' said Mr. Lasalle, throwing his own line again.
'For shame, Mr. Lasalle! How many hearts do you think one lady wishes to catch?'
'No limit that I know'—said the gentleman serenely.
'Well, but—are there no other fish in this brook?' said Wych
Hazel.
'Miss Kennedy makes small account of the first kind,' said Stuart, laughing. 'That sport is old already. There must be difficulty to give interest, Lasalle, you know.'
'You gentlemen are complimentary,' said Miss Powder.