“Do not say so,” I implored him, in a passion of vexation.  “My grandfather would love you because of what you have done for the dog.  He is devoted to dumb animals.  In any case, he would not have objected to a gentleman walking in his woods.  That the postern gate is left open is a proof that people come and go as they will.”

“That may be,” he said.  “The St. Legers have always been at peace with their fellow-men, yet I would not be caught a trespasser.”

There was a sudden darkness by which I conjectured that the sun had sunk below the horizon.

“I must be going,” I said in a great hurry.  “They will be anxious about me at home.  For the rest, I give you the freedom of the woods.  Come and go when you will.  You are welcome to Aghadoe.”

His face lit up.

“Faith, it’s pleasant to a homeless man like myself to be assured of a welcome,” he said.  “And now, Miss Bawn, let me see you to the confines of the wood, within sight of the Abbey.  Out on the hills and plains it is yet day, but in the woods night comes early, to give a chance perhaps to the birds who have been awake since cock-crow.”

I crept out of the glade as I had entered it and he followed me.  When we both stood upright in the wood-path we laughed together.

“I believe I knew the place of old,” he said, “when I was a little urchin.  Sure there’s no place like home, after all.”

I had been wondering who he might be, and had fancied he was a visitor at one of the houses of the neighbourhood, perhaps at the Ardaraghs’, but his speech showed me that he must belong to the county.

“My grandfather would like to thank you,” I said, as we walked along the wood-path, where I was glad of his company.  Now that the shades closed in, and with the postern gate open, how could I tell that Richard Dawson might not lie in wait for me?  He had thought me a peasant girl, the wretch, and offered me money for my kisses.  The wave of resentment and disgust in my mind swelled to the full.  This gentleman who walked beside me had known me for a lady despite my print frock.  I was furious for the moment with Lady Ardaragh and the others who would admit such people as the Dawsons to their drawing-rooms, and I was proud to think that Aghadoe Abbey shut its doors against mere money.  There were few things we thought less of than money at Aghadoe.

“Lord St. Leger would like to thank you,” I said.  “Will you not come in and see him?”

“Why, no,” he answered, “although I am loth to say no to so gracious an invitation.  Believe me, I am not insensible of the graciousness that prompts it.  Ah, here we are in sight of the Abbey.  I shall stand and watch till I see you safe within its doors.”

While we were yet in the obscurity of the wood he lifted my hand to his lips.

“I am eternally grateful to the good fortune that gave me the chance of serving you,” he said.