"You will come back to London, Rolfe," Peter said, as he took up his cap to go.
"Not I," answered Rolfe. "I never had much liking for court life; I shall abide here and keep the place together."
"Then you'll come, Martha," said Peter.
"I shall go where my mistress goes," answered the woman. "Good-day, and good luck go with you, Peter Kemp!"
They shook hands.
"I'll go down the hill with you," said Rolfe. "You left your horse at the vicarage?"
"Yes; he was well-nigh done, and it's a mighty steep climb up here," said Peter.
"We are near the top," answered Rolfe carelessly; "it's fine and airy."
They went down the hillside together. Before them, flitting like a fairy over the grass, they saw Agnes; she sped so quickly that they could not overtake her. She crossed the bridge and disappeared into the vicarage before they reached it.
"A bird of ill omen he is," said the vicar's Mary, standing by Rolfe at the vicarage gate watching Peter ride away; then she added, in a low voice, "Those two young creatures are well-nigh breaking their hearts over the news he brought."