“It was kind in you—­very kind!” returned Mr. Bolton.  He could say no less.  But, oh! how rebuked and dissatisfied he felt.

“About that right of way,” he stammered out, after a brief silence, partly averting his eyes as he spoke.  “I—­I”—­

“Oh, we’ll not speak of that now,” returned Mr. Halpin cheerfully.  “Let’s get better acquainted first.”

“But, Mr. Halpin—­I—­I”—­

They were now at the gate entering upon Mr. Bolton’s farm, and the neighbour pushed it open, and held it for Bolton to pass through.  Then, as it swung back on its hinges, he said, touching his hat politely—­

“Good-day!  Mrs. Halpin and I will call over very soon;—­perhaps this evening, if nothing interfere to prevent.  If we come, we shall do so without any ceremony.  Make my compliments, if you please, to Mrs. Bolton.”

“Thank you!  Yes—­yes!  Mr. Halpin—­I—­I—­Let me speak a—­a”—­

But Mr. Halpin had turned his horse’s head, and was moving off towards the place of entrance to his own farm.

Poor Bolton What was he to do?  Never had he felt so oppressive a sense of shame—­such deep humiliation.  He had reined up his horse after passing through the gate, and there he still stood, undetermined, in the confusion of the moment, what to do.  Briskly rode Mr. Halpin away; and only a few moments would pass before he discovered the outrage perpetrated against him, and that by a man for whom he had entertained the kindest feelings in advance, and even gone out of his way to serve.

“Oh, why did I act with such mad haste!” exclaimed Mr. Bolton, as he thought this, and saw but a moment or two intervening between him and the bitterest humiliation.  He might repair the wrong, and, in his heart, he resolved to do it.  But what could restore to him the good opinion of his neighbour?  Nothing!  That was gone for ever.

So troubled, oppressed, and shame-stricken was Mr. Bolton, that he remained on the spot where Mr. Halpin had left him, looking after the latter until he arrived at the place where an obstruction had been thrown in his way.  By this time, the very breath of Bolton was suspended.  Unbounded was his surprise, as he observed Mr. Halpin leap from his horse, swing open the gate, and pass through.  Had he seen aright?  He rubbed his eyes and looked again.  Mr. Halpin had closed the gate, and was on the other side, in the act of mounting his horse.

“Have I done right?” said a voice at this moment.

Bolton started, and, on looking around, saw Mr. Dix.

“Yes, you have done right!” he returned, with an emotion that he could not conceal:  “and from my heart I thank you for this kind office.  You have saved me from the consequences of a hasty, ill-judged, ill-natured act—­consequences that would have been most painful.  Oblige me still further Mr. Dix, by letting this matter remain with yourself, at least for the present.  Before it comes to the ears of Mr. Halpin, I wish to let him see some better points in my character.”