"Yes, you have. You think so now, because you're a bit down; but you wait till you're on the cob, and then you'll never want to come off. I don't. I say, you haven't seen me ride." "No, Claud; but I must go now." "You mustn't, coz. I'm going to rouse you up. I say, though, I don't want to brag, but I can ride--anything. I always get along with the first flight, and a little thing like you after I've been out with you a bit will astonish some of them. I shall keep my eye open, and the first pretty little tit I see that I think will suit you, I shall make the guv'nor buy." "I beg that you will not, Claud." "That's right, do. Go down on your poor little knees and beg, and I'll get the mount for you all the same. I know what will do you good and bring the blood into your pretty cheeks. No, no, don't be in such a hurry. I won't let you go upstairs and mope like a bird with the pip. You never handled a gun, I suppose?" "No, never," said Kate, half angrily now; "of course not." "Then you shall. You can have my double-barrel that father bought for me when I was a boy. It's light as a feather, comes up to the shoulder splendidly, and has no more kick in it than a mouse. I tell you what, if it's fine this afternoon you shall put on thick boots and a hat, and we'll walk along by the fir plantations, and you shall have your first pop at a pheasant." "I shoot at a pheasant!" cried Kate in horror. "Shoo!" exclaimed Claud playfully. "Yes, you have your first shot at a pheasant. Shuddering? That's just like a London girl. How horrid, isn't it?" "Yes, horrible for a woman." "Not a bit of it. You'll like it after the first shot. You'll be ready enough to shove in the cartridges with those little hands, and bring the birds down. I say, I'll teach you to fish, too, and throw a fly. You'll like it, and soon forget all the mopes. You've been spoiled; but after a month or two here you won't know yourself. Don't be in such a hurry, Kitty." "Don't hold my hand like that, Claud; I must really go now," said Kate, whose troubled face was clouded with wonder, vexation, and something approaching fear. "I really wish to go into the house." "No, you don't; you want to stop with me. I shan't have a chance to talk to you again, with old Garstang here. I say, I saw you come out to have this little walk up and down here. I was watching and came after you to show you the way about the grounds." "It was very kind of you, Claud. Thank you; but let me go in now." "Shan't I don't get a chance to have a walk with such a girl as you every day. I am glad you've come. It makes our house seem quite different." "Thank you for saying so--but I feel quite faint now." "More need for you to stop in the fresh air. You faint, and I'll bring you to again with a kiss. That's the sort of thing to cure a girl who faints." She looked at him in horror and disgust, as he burst into a boisterous laugh.