’You will find her out.  Wait till you know her a little better.  She will preach to you, I have no doubt.  Prudentia, Mrs. Coles, is very different.  She is really a charming woman.  But my dear Miss Kennedy, we have been here a length of time that it will not do to talk about.  We have had no mercy upon Mr. Falkirk, for we were determined to see you.  Now you must come and spend the day with me to-morrow, and I’ll tell you everything.  We are going on a fishing expedition up the Arrow; and we want you.  And you must come early; for we must take the cool of the morning to go and the cool of the afternoon to come back.  I’ll see you home safe.  Come! say yes.’

‘I will if Mr. Falkirk does, ma’am, very gladly.’

‘Let her go!’ whispered another member of the party, who had been using her eyes more than her tongue.

’Give her a loose rein now, Mr. Falkirk, and hold her in when Kitty Fisher comes.’

‘Pshaw! she isn’t under guardianship at that rate,’ said Mme. Lasalle.  ‘Mr. Falkirk, isn’t this lady free yet?’

‘I am afraid she never will be, madam.’

’What do you mean by that?  But does she have to ask your leave for everything she does?’

’No one acquainted with the wisdom of Miss Kennedy’s general proceedings would do me so much honour as to think the wisdom all came from me!’ said Mr. Falkirk dryly.

‘Well, you’ll let her come to Moscheloo?’

‘Certainly.’

The lady looked at Wych Hazel.  The laughing eyes had grown suddenly quiet.  It was with a very dignified bend of the head that she repeated Mr. Falkirk’s assent.

‘I shall not ask you,’ said the lady to Miss Kennedy’s guardian; ’it is a young party entirely, and must mot have too much wisdom, you understand.  I’ll bring her home.’

‘I am no sportsman, madam,’ said Mr. Falkirk with a smile; ’and my wisdom will probably be busy to-morrow in Miss Kennedy’s plantations.’

With that, the train of ladies swept away, with renewed soft words of pleasure and hope and congratulation.  They rustled softly through the hall, gently spoke ecstasies at the hall door, mounted upon their horses and got into their carriages, and departed.  Mr. Falkirk came back to his ward in the hall.

‘Now that to-morrow is provided for,’ he said, ’I should be glad to hear, Miss Hazel, the history of yesterday.  It is quite impossible to know a story from Dingee’s telling of it.  And do you think you could give me some luncheon?’

‘Certainly, sir.’  She was just disposing of hat and whip upon a particular pair of chamois horns on the wall.  They hung a little high for her, and she was springing to reach them like any airiest creature that ever made a spring.  ’Perhaps you will be so kind as to be seated, Mr. Falkirk?—­in the dining room—­for a moment.  Dingee!’—­her voice rang softly out clear as an oriole.  ’Luncheon at once—­do you hear, Dingee?  Don’t keep Mr. Falkirk waiting.’