’I will tell you beforehand what to expect.  There will be a great deal of walking, a good deal of luncheon, a vast deal of talk, and a number of fishing rods.  I shouldn’t be surprised if you caught the first fish.  The rest will be dinner.’

‘And you will reverse that,’ said Wych Hazel,—­’little dinner and much fish.’

‘Depends,’ said Rollo.  ’I am going to look after Mr. Falkirk, if he is in my neighbourhood.’

‘Look after him!—­Let him learn how it feels?’ she said, with a laugh.

‘Not just in that sense,’ said Rollo, smiling.  ’Only keep him from getting lost in the woods.’

‘He has nothing to do in the woods till I come,’ said Wych Hazel.  ’And I thought you said you were off for a day’s fishing?’

‘I’ll combine two pleasures—­if I can.’

‘What is the other?’ she said, looking at him.

‘Woodcraft.’

A tinge came up in her cheeks that might have been only surprise.  She looked away, and as it were tossed off the first words that came.  Then with very sedate deliberation: 

’Mr. Rollo, I do not allow anybody to practice woodcraft among my trees without my special oversight.  Not even Mr. Falkirk.’

‘Suppose Mr. Falkirk takes a different view,’ said Rollo, also sedately, ’am I answerable?  Because, if that is your meaning, I will tell him he undergoes my challenge.’

‘He is not to cut a tree nor a branch till I come home.’

’Suppose we arrange, then, for a time when you will come out and give a day to the business.  Shall we say to-morrow?’

‘O yes, I agree to that.’

’There shall not be a tree cut, then, till to-morrow.  And to-morrow you shall have a lesson.  Now here we are.’

CHAPTER XVI.

FISHING.

Several people were on the steps before the door, watching and waiting for them.  The house shewed large and stately; the flight of steps imposing.  Hot-house plants stood around in boxes; the turf was well shaven; the gravelled road in order; the overhanging trees magnificent.  Moscheloo was a fine place.  As the riders approached the door, Mme. Lasalle came forward, pouring forth welcomes, and invitations to Rollo.  But after dismounting Wych Hazel, and so disappointing the gentleman who wanted to do it, Rollo excused himself and set off down the hill again.  Mme. Lasalle turned to Wych Hazel, and led her, with flying introductions by the way, to the stairs and up to a dressing-room.

’It is quite charming to see you, and to think that Chickaree is inhabited and has a mistress—­it makes Moscheloo, I assure you, several degrees brighter.  Now, my dear, what will you have?—­is it nothing but to take off this habit-skirt?—­let me undo it.  What an odd mortal that is, that came with you!’

But to that Wych Hazel answered nothing.  The light riding skirt and jacket taken off, left her in green from head to foot.  A daring colour for a brunette.  But her own tint was so clear and the mossy shade of her dress was so well chosen, that the effect was extremely good.  She looked like a wood nymph.