“He seems rather sweet upon Miss Amory,” the gentleman went on. Laura looked at them, and perhaps thought so too, but said nothing.
“A man of large property in the county, ain’t he? He used to talk about representing it. He used to speak at the Union. Whereabouts do his estates lie?”
Laura smiled. “His estates lie on the other side of the river, near the lodge-gate. He is my cousin, and I live there.”
“Where?” asked Mr. Pynsent, with a laugh.
“Why, on the other side of the river, at Fairoaks,” answered Miss Bell.
“Many pheasants there? Cover looks rather good,” said the simple gentleman.
Laura smiled again. “We have nine hens and a cock, a pig, and an old pointer.”
“Pendennis don’t preserve, then?” continued Mr. Pynsent.
“You should come and see him,” the girl said, laughing, and greatly amused at the notion that her Pen was a great county gentleman, and perhaps had given himself out to be such.
“Indeed, I quite long to renew our acquaintance,” Mr. Pynsent said, gallantly, and with a look which fairly said, “It is you that I would like to come and see”—to which look and speech Miss Laura vouchsafed a smile, and made a little bow.