‘That is for your pleasure to say,’ he returned lightly, lifting her down.  And then, detaining her slightly for just half a second, he added, laughing,

’Please don’t take Jeannie anywhere that I would not like her to go!’

CHAPTER XXX.

THE WILL.

That night, and the next morning, Miss Kennedy had a fight with herself, trying hard to regain her footing, which was constantly swept away again by some new incoming tide of thoughts.  It looks an easy matter enough, to climb out once more upon the ice through which you have broken; but when piece after piece comes off in your hands, sousing you deeper down than before, the thing begins to look serious.  And in this case the young lady began to get impatient.

‘Such unmitigated nonsense!’ she declared to herself, with her cheeks on fire.  But nevertheless said nonsense lifted its head very cleverly from under all the negations she could pile upon it; and indeed looked rather refreshed than otherwise by the operation.  How Mr. Falkirk had dimly hinted at such things, long ago,—­and how she had laughed at them!  Was this what he had suggested her confiding to him?—­Whereupon Miss Kennedy brought herself up short.

‘I should like to know what I have to confide!’ she said.  ’I hope I am not quite a fool.’  And with that she beat a retreat, and rushed down-stairs, and gave Mr. Falkirk an extravaganza of extra length and brilliancy for his breakfast; which, however, it may be noted, did not include any particulars of her ride.  But when breakfast was over, Miss Kennedy for a moment descended to business.

’By the way, sir, I should tell you, Mr. Rollo proposes to leave one of his horses here, for me to use till my own come,—­ if that extraordinary day ever arrives.  Are you agreeable—­or otherwise—­Mr. Falkirk?’

’I have never made any professions of being agreeable, Miss Hazel; and it never was charges to me, that I know.’

’No, sir, certainly,—­not when rides are in question.  But may I use this horse, which has the misfortune to belong to somebody else?’

’I suppose he wouldn’t give it to you if it was not fit for you to use,’ said Mr. Falkirk, rather growlingly it must be confessed.  ’Does he expect you to ride it with anybody but him, my dear?’

’As he made no mention of expecting me to ride with him, sir, the question presents itself somewhat differently to my mind,’ said Miss Kennedy, with some heightening of colour.  It had not been a ‘pale’ morning, altogether.  ’Having a horse, Mr. Falkirk, may I ride with whom I like?’

’If the giver of the horse has no objections, Miss Hazel, I make none.’

’I am afraid, sir, your long seclusion has slightly unsettled your mind,’ said Wych Hazel, looking at him with grave consideration, ’There is no “giver” of the horse in the first place; and in the second, you know perfectly well that with his first “objection” to my escorts, the horse would go back.  And you used to be so exact, Mr. Falkirk!’ she added, in a melancholy tone.