‘I never sympathize with anybody’s ill-behaviour but my own,’ said Hazel, ‘if that is what you mean.’

‘I meant,’ said Rollo with perfect gravity, ’that perhaps she sympathized with yours?’

’It occurs to me in this connection—­talking of behaviour,’—­ said Miss Kennedy, ’that I had a question to ask of you two gentlemen, which it may save time—­and trouble—­ to state while you are both together.  Are you attending to me, sir?’ she asked, looking straight over at her other guardian now,—­’or has your mind gone off to:  “Grand Vizier certainly strangled"?’

’My mind never goes off when you begin to state questions, Miss Hazel; knowing that it will probably have work enough at home.’

’This one is extremely simple, sir.  Why, when you both agreed that I should have neither saddle-horse nor pony for my own individual use, did you not tell me so at once?  Instead of keeping me all summer in a state of hope deferred and disappointment in hand?’

‘Shall I take the burden of explanation on myself, sir?’ asked Rollo.

‘If you like.  It lies on you properly,’ said Mr. Falkirk, in anything but an amiable voice.

‘Then may I order up Jeannie for you?’ Rollo went on with a smile, to Wych Hazel; ‘and I will explain as we go along.’

’That is to say, there is no explanation, but just the one I had made out for myself.  Mr. Falkirk, did I ever practise any underhand dealings with you?’ she said.

‘Don’t begin to do it with me,’ said Rollo.  ’Suppose you put on your habit, and in half an hour we’ll have it all out on the road.’

’Your respective ancestors must have been invaluable in the old Salem times,’ said the young lady, arching her brows a little.  ‘In these days I think truth should win truth.’  With which expression of opinion Miss Wych whistled for a fresh glass of water and dismissed the subject.  Not without a smothered sigh, however.

‘I did not understand,’ said Rollo, ’that expression of respect for our ancestors.’

’Naturally.  As I expressed none.  But I remember—­you belong across the sea; where witchcraft probably is unknown, and so is never dealt with.’

‘What would you give as the best manner of dealing with it?’ Rollo inquired with admirable command of countenance.

’I suppose I should let them go their way.  But then, being one of the guild, I of course fail to see the danger; and cannot appreciate the mild form of fear which has shadowed Mr. Falkirk for ten years past, nor the sharper attack which has suddenly seized Mr. Rollo.’  She could keep her face too, looking carelessly down and poising her teaspoon.

’What becomes of your kitten, when you are suddenly made aware that there are strange dogs about?’ said Rollo again, eyeing her.

’My kitten, indeed!’—­said Hazel, with just so much stir of her composure as recognized the look which yet she did not see.  ‘Did you ever hear of a dog’s cajoling a cat, Mr. Rollo?’