‘Is this your charge, Dane?  Is this little Wych Hazel?’ he went on more tenderly, and folding her in his arms.  ‘My dear,’ he said, kissing her brow, ’I hope you will be as good a woman as your mother was!  I am very glad to see you!—­very glad indeed!’

She did not answer at first, looking up into his face with a wistful, searching look that was a little eager; standing quite still, as if the enclosing arms were very pleasant to her.

‘Yes sir,’ she said, ’I am Wych Hazel.  But why are you glad to see me?’

’My dear, I knew your mother and father; and I have a great interest in you.  I am told you will be queen of a large court up yonder at Chickaree.’

She laughed a little, and coloured, looking down, then back into his face again.

‘Will you like me, sir, all you can?’

’All you will give me a chance for.  So you must let us see you a great deal; for affection must grow, you know; it cannot be commanded.  Sit down, my dear, sit down; Primrose is ready for us.’

It was a right pleasant meal!  There was no servant waiting; the little informalities of helping themselves suited well with the quiet home ease and the song of the tea-kettle.  Primrose made toast for her father, and Rollo blew the coals to a red heat to hasten the operation.  Dr. Maryland sometimes talked and sometimes was silent; and his talk was of an absolute simplicity that neither knew in his own nor imagined in other people’s minds any reserves of dark corners.  Primrose talked little, but was lovingly watchful not only of her father, but of Wych Hazel, and Rollo too; who on his part was watchful enough over everybody.

‘And my dear,’ said Dr. Maryland, ’why did you not bring Mr. Falkirk with you?’

’Well, sir, to begin—­I did not know I was coming myself!  I was out riding, and the rain came—­and I jumped off into the first open door I could see.  And then Miss Maryland let me stay.’

‘But Mr. Falkirk, my dear—­where’s he?’

’Safe at home, sir.  We have been seeking our fortune together, but to-night we got separated.’

‘Mr. Falkirk went back and left you?’ said Dr. Maryland, looking surprised.

‘No, sir, I went ahead and left him.  That is,’ she added, smothering a laugh, ‘he did not set out at all.’

‘I thought—­I thought, you said you were together?’

’Only in a general way, sir.  On all special occasions we divide.’

‘What did you say you were doing? seeking your fortune?’

‘I set out to seek mine,’ said Wych Hazel, ’and of course poor Mr. Falkirk has to go along to look on.  He doesn’t help me one bit.’

‘To seek your fortune, my dear?’ said Dr. Maryland, looking benignly curious; ’What sort of a fortune are you looking for?’

’Why I don’t know, sir.  If I knew,—­it would be half found already, wouldn’t it?’ said the girl.

’But my dear—­did Mr. Falkirk never tell you that fortunes are never found ready made?’