"Oh, the Blakes find me a bed. I'm off again to-morrow morning."
"You are now at Scarborough with my aunt? I have it on Sissy's authority."
"There's no occasion to disturb that faith," said Horace lightly. "Are you going into the town? I'll walk a little way with you."
"You are not going to see them at Brackenhill before you leave?"
Horace shook his head: "Say nothing about me. Did you tell them where you were going?"
"No. I don't suppose they know of the Blakes' existence."
"So much the better. I'm not going to enlighten them."
They strolled on side by side, and for a minute neither spoke. Horace was chafing because it had occurred to him that afternoon that Mrs. Blake seemed rather to take his devotion to Addie for granted. His path was made too smooth and obvious, and it was evident that the prize might be had for the asking. Consequently, Master Horace, who was not at all sure that he wanted it, was irritable and inclined to swerve aside.
"Are not you playing a dangerous game?" said Percival. "Sooner or later some one will mention the fact of these visits to the squire, and there'll be a row."
"Well, then, there must be a row. It's uncommonly hard if I'm never to speak to any one without going to Brackenhill first to ask leave," said Horace discontentedly. "How should you like it yourself?"