"Is there anybody you mean to put in them, Mr. Carlisle?"
"No. Is there anybody you mean to put in them?"
"I know just who would like to have one."
"Then I know just who shall have it—or I shall know, when you have told me."
Did he smile to himself that his bait had taken? He did not smile outwardly. Riding close up to her, he listened with a bright face to the story which Eleanor gave with a brighter. She had a private smile at herself. Where were her scruples now? There was no help for it.
"It is one of your—one of the under gardeners at Rythdale; his name is
James Earle. I believe he is a good fellow."
"We will suppose that. What has he done to enlist your sympathy?"
"He wants to marry a sister of this girl I have been to see. They have been long betrothed; and James has been laying up money to set up housekeeping. They were to have been married this autumn,—now;—but James had lent all his earnings to get his old father out of some distress, and they are not forthcoming; and all Dolly's earnings go to support hers."
"And what would you like to do for them, Eleanor?"
Eleanor coloured now, but she could not go back. "If you think well of
Earle, and would like to have him in one of the empty cottages at
Rythmoor, I should be glad."