"With much pleasure! You have been shewing Miss Rossitur the picturesque country about Montepoole?"
"My cousin and I have been there on business, and lost our way coming back."
"Ah I dare say. Very easy. First time you have been there?"
"Yes sir, and we are in a hurry to get home."
"Well sir,--you know the road by Deacon Patterson's?--comes out just above the lake?"
Hugh did not remember.
"Well--you keep this road straight on,--I'm sorry you are in a hurry,--you keep on till--do you know when you strike Mr. Harris's ground?"
No, Hugh knew nothing about it, nor Fleda.
"Well I'll tell you now how it is," said the stranger, "if you'll permit me. You and your--a--cousin--come in and do us the pleasure of taking some refreshment--I know my sister'll have her table set out by this time--and I'll do myself the honour of introducing you to--a--these strange roads afterwards."
"Thank you, sir, but that trouble is unnecessary--cannot you direct us?"