been given any reason to suspect.  I have no more to say.  They can be married in a month.  That is settled.  I never linger over business.  We may shake hands on it.”  They did so with great cordiality.  “It is not that I am overjoyed at the match,” she explained, with great frankness.  “I think Sarah is a fool to marry a boy.  But I have observed she is a fool who always knows her own mind.  The fancies of some girls of that age are not worth attending to.”

“Miss Sarah is a young lady of character,” said John, gravely.

“Ay, she will settle him,” said Lady Tintern.  Her small, grim face relaxed into a witchlike smile.

“The lad is a good lad.  No one has ever said a word against him, and he is as steady as old Time.  I believe Miss Sarah’s choice, if he is her choice, will be justified,” said John.

“I didn’t think he was a murderer or a drunkard,” said Lady Tintern, cheerfully.  Her phraseology was often startling to strangers.  “But he is absolutely devoid of—­what shall I say?  Chivalry?  Yes, that is it.  Few young men have much nowadays, I am told.  But Sir Peter has none—­absolutely none.”

“It will come.”

“No, it will not come.  It is a quality you are born with or without.  He was born without.  Sarah knows all about it.  It won’t hurt her; she has the methods of an ox.  She goes direct to her point, and tramples over everything that stands in her way.  If he were less thick-skinned she would be the death of him; but fortunately he has the hide of a rhinoceros.”

“I think you do them both a great deal less than justice,” said John; but he was unable to help laughing.

“Oh, you do, do you?  I like to be disagreed with.”  Her voice shook a little.  “You must make allowances—­for an old woman—­who is—­disappointed,” said Lady Tintern.

John said nothing, but his bright hazel eyes, looking down on the small, bent figure, grew suddenly gentle and sympathetic.

“It is a pleasure to be able to congratulate somebody,” she said, returning his look.  “I congratulate you—­and Lady Mary.”

“Thank you.”

“Most of all, because there is nothing modern about her.  She has walked straight out of the Middle Ages, with the face of a saint and a dreamer and a beautiful woman, all in one.  I am an old witch, and I am never deceived in a woman.  Men, I am sorry to say, no longer take the trouble to deceive me.  Now our business is over, will you take me back?”

She took the arm he offered, and tottered back to the terrace.

“Bring her to see me in London, and bring her as soon as you can,” said.  Lady Tintern.  “She is the friend I have dreamed of, and never met.  When is it going to be?”

“At once,” said John, calmly.

“You are the most sensible man I have seen for a long time,” said Lady Tintern.

* * * * *

Peter and Sarah hardly exchanged a word during their return journey from the moors after the unlucky picnic; and at the door of Happy Jack’s cottage in Youlestone village she commanded her obedient swain to deposit the luncheon basket, and bade him farewell.