It was at this point that Juliet rounded a curve in the path and came within sight of the stile.

Green was standing facing her, and she saw his instant glance of recognition.  Mr. Fielding had his back to her, and the younger man laid a hand upon his arm and drew him aside.

Fielding turned sharply.  He looked her up and down with a resentful stare as she mounted the stile, and Juliet flushed in spite of the most determined composure.

Green came forward instantly and offered a hand to assist her.  “Good morning, Miss Moore!  Exploring in another direction to-day?” he said.

She took the proffered hand, feeling absurdly embarrassed by the squire’s presence.  Green was bareheaded, and his hair shone wet in the strong sunlight.  His manner was absolutely easy and assured.  She met his smiling look with an odd feeling of gratitude, as if he had ranged himself on her side against something formidable.

“I am afraid I haven’t been very fortunate in my choice to-day either,” she said somewhat ruefully, as she descended.

He laughed.  “We all trespass in these woods.  It’s a time-honoured custom, isn’t it, Mr. Fielding?  The pheasants are quite used to it.”

Juliet did not glance in the squire’s direction.  She felt that she had done all that was necessary in that quarter, and that any further overture would but meet with a churlish response.

But to her astonishment he took the initiative.  “I am afraid I wasn’t too hospitable just now,” he said.  “It’s this fellow’s fault.  Dick, it’s up to you to apologize on my behalf.”

Juliet looked at him then in amazement, and saw that the dour visage was actually smiling at her—­such a smile as transformed it completely.

“If Miss Moore will permit me,” said Mr. Green, with a bow, “I will introduce you to her.  You will then be en rapport and in a position to apologize for yourself.”

“Pedagogue!” said the squire.

And Juliet laughed for the first time.  “If anyone apologizes it should be me,” she said.

“I!” murmured Green.  “With more apologies!”

The squire turned on him.  “Green, I’ll punch your head for you directly, you unspeakable pedant!  What should you take him for, Miss Moore?  A very high priest or a very low comedian?”

Juliet felt her breath somewhat taken away by this sudden admission to intimacy.  She looked at Green whose dark eyes laughed straight back at her, and found it impossible to stand upon ceremony.

“I really don’t know,” she said.  “I haven’t had time to place him yet.  But it’s a little difficult to be quite impartial as he saved my life last night.”

“What?” said the squire.  “That sounds romantic.  What made him do that?”