"You have much too soft a heart, Dick," she said. "Your stableman, now--There! Don't look so distressed. I will do anything you wish, Dick. I will even go and thank this worthy man for what he has done. And when he and the rest have all gone, and we are once more alone, I will thank you for what you have done, Dick--for the rest of my life." "I want no thanks," said the boy, his face growing merry again as they went out together. Lorry descended the first flight of shallow steps quite sedately behind them, but with a sniff he suddenly pushed past, fell precipitately down the next flight into the hall, and stood, stark and stiff, glaring out at the door. "Man on the steps!" he barked viciously. "Strange man! One of these men who are hanging about here." He raced out in a quiver of fury. "Farewell to your Giles, Dick!" said her ladyship. "Lorry will devour him ere we arrive." But when they came in sight of the steps, they beheld that eccentric dog, Lorry, crouched and fawning at the stranger's feet. And the stranger was calling him a "good old lad" in an indifferent, good-humoured way, flicking his head with his glove, which mark of approval Lorry received with a meek thankfulness never accorded to his lady's demanded caresses or Dick's boisterously-received attentions. The Cavalier had had more pity for his horse than for himself; the bay had been sent out of the hot glaring sun, though Giles still waited her Ladyship's permission to enter. She halted at the top of the steps, and her eye ran over the man, his attitude, and his rose-coloured dress. "Where is your Giles, Dick?" she demanded. Before Dick had time to answer, the gentleman started and looked up. Baring his head with one hand, and pushing Lorry out of the way with the other, he advanced a step. "May I come in, madam?" he asked. Dick felt the hand he held tremble. He glanced from one to the other. What was happening? Her Ladyship caught away her hand, and swept down the steps to Giles with a cry. She gave him her hand and drew him in across the hall to the parlour. They went in, and Giles shut the door. Dick and Lorry looked at each other. The boy rubbed his eyes. The dog pattered to the door, and pressed his nose against the crack. Then, looking impatiently at Dick, he said with his eyes: "Come and open it; you know how." But Dick shook his head doubtfully. "Better not, old fellow," he said. "'Tis queer; but they don't want us." Lorry grunted and fidgeted about, nosing the hall-floor till he came on the glove which Giles had dropped. Then he gave a satisfied sigh, and lay down with his treasure between his paws, and his nose on it. By some instinct he gathered that Giles was a person to be courted, a man not given to caressing, but a man who would love a dog, and whom a dog must love and obey. Dick stood irresolute, his hand playing with his sword-hilt.