'Are you in earnest?' she said slowly.
His eyes went very deep into hers when they got the chance, carrying their own message too. He answered with a half smile,
'Thorough earnest.'
She drew back instantly, eyes and all; letting fall her veil and taking up her bridle. Except so, and by the sudden colour, giving no reply. She was learning her lesson fast, she thought, a little bitterly. Nevertheless, if people knew the exquisite grace there can be in submission, whether to authority or to circumstances it may be they would practise it oftener.
Not another word said Rollo. What was the use? She would understand him some day;—or she would not! in any case, words would not make it clear. Only when he took her down from her horse he asked, and that was with a smile too, and a good inquisition of the grey eyes, 'if he should come to take her to Beacon Hill to-morrow?'
'No,' she said quietly. 'I think not.'
'When will you have another riding lesson?'
'I do not know,' she said, with a tone that left the matter very doubtful.
'Well,' said he, 'you may go to Beacon Hill without me. But you must not try leaping. Remember that.'
He did not go in. He remounted and rode away.