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 the handle, and a castle over him. But it is so old that mother uses it to stir the pea-soup.’

‘A castle argent is certainly my crest,’ said he blandly.

‘And so mother said we ought to make ourselves beknown to you—as we’ve lost our horse by a bad accident, and are the oldest branch o’ the family.’

‘Very kind of your mother, I’m sure. And I, for one, don’t regret her step.’ Alec looked at Tess as he spoke, in a way that made her blush a little, ‘And so, my pretty girl, you’ve come on a friendly visit to us, as relations?’

‘I suppose I have,’ faltered Tess, looking uncomfortably at the mansion.

‘Well—there’s no harm in it. Where do you live? What are you?’

She gave him brief particulars; and, after further inquiries, told him that she was intending to go back by the same carrier who had brought her.

‘It is a long while before he returns past Trantridge Cross. Supposing we walk round the grounds to pass the time, my pretty Coz?’

Tess wished to abridge her visit as much as possible; but the young man was pressing, and