It was a temptation to linger in the quaint little streets; but on this afternoon of all others Darsie was anxious not to be late for tea, so, with a sigh of regret, she turned up a side lane leading to the field path to the Manor, and in so doing came face to face with Ralph Percival, who, in his lightest and most sporting attire, was escorting a pack of dogs for an airing. There was the big silky-haired collie whom Darsie loved, the splay-footed dachshund which she hated, the huge mastiff which she feared, with one or two terriers of different breeds-- alert, friendly, and gentle-eyed. One and all came sniffing round her as their master stopped to shake hands, and she stood up stiff and straight, trying to look at ease, and as if she were not really in momentary terror of an attack upon her ankles and skirts. "Halloa!" "How are you? Still living in a shower of jewels?" "I _have_ been, but it's clearing off! The combination bracelet finished the list. Now I'm beginning to live in fear of another burglary, on myself. It will be a relief to get the things distributed. Mother is to have the watch, Clemence the pendant, Lavender the brooch, and I am going to be greedy and keep the bracelet and necklace and ring for myself." "What a miser!" cried Ralph, laughing. His grey eyes looked very handsome and agreeable lit up with the twinkling light of amusement, and Darsie's spirits rose still a degree higher as he whistled to the dogs and turned round with the evident intention of accompanying her home. "We'll come along with you. It doesn't matter where we go so long as we have a run. Bound for the Manor, I suppose? How's the old lady? In a good humour, I should say. You look particularly full of beams this afternoon!" "I am--brimming over! You see before you, kind sir, the touching spectacle of a young female who has not a single ungratified wish in the world, and is so happy that she doesn't know how to preserve a decent appearance of calm. It's the more extraordinary because she usually wants quite a lot." Ralph's eyebrows went up in expressive disdain. "Re-al-ly! You don't say so! Glad to hear it, I'm shaw! The kind donors would be much gratified to know of the magic effect of their gifts. I wonder, under the circumstances, that you could bear to part from any of them!" The words were spoken in his most drawling and superior voice, and brought the blood rushing into Darsie's cheeks. She stood still in the middle of the road, and glared at him with flashing eyes. "Horrible boy! What a disagreeable mind you must have, to think such mean, contemptible thoughts! Bother the jewellery! It may go to Jericho for all I care. I'm happy for a very different reason. Aunt Maria has just promised to pay for me to go to Newnham, and that has been the dream of my life. There's nothing to sneer at, you see, though perhaps _you_ can manage to be superior even about that!"