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306 speak, there is my hand. If you will have it, let it lie in yours;—if not, push it away.' So saying, he managed to get the end of his fingers on to her palm, and there it remained unrepulsed. 'La jeunesse' was beginning to get a lesson; experience when duly sought after sometimes comes early in life.

In truth, Mary had not strength to push the fingers away. 'My love, my own, my own!' said Frank, presuming on this very negative sign of acquiescence. 'My life, my own one, my own Mary!' and then the hand was caught hold of and was at his lips before an effort could be made to save it from such treatment.

'Mary, look at me; say one word to me.'

There was a deep sigh and then came the one word—'Oh, Frank!'

'Mr. Gresham, I hope I have the honour of seeing you quite well,' said a voice close to his ear. 'I beg to say that you are welcome to Boxall Hill.' Frank turned round and instantly found himself shaking hands with Sir Louis Scatcherd.

How Mary got over her confusion Frank never saw, for he had enough to do to get over his own. He involuntarily deserted Mary and began talking very fast to Sir Louis. Sir Louis did not once look at Miss Thorne, but walked back towards the house with Mr. Gresham, sulky enough in temper, but still making some efforts to do the fine gentleman. Mary, glad to be left alone, merely occupied herself with sitting on the donkey; and the donkey, when he found that the two gentlemen went towards the house, for company's sake—and for his stable's sake, followed after them.

Frank stayed but three minutes in the house; gave another hisskiss [sic] to Lady Scatcherd, getting three in return, and thereby infinitely disgusting Sir Louis, shook hands, anything but warmly, with the young baronet, and just felt the warmth of Mary's hand within his own. He felt also the warmth of her eyes' last glance, and rode home a happy man.

rode home a happy man, cheering himself, as successful lovers do cheer themselves, with the brilliancy of his late exploit: nor was it till he had turned the corner into the Greshamsbury stables that he began to reflect what he would do