"And a liar," I muttered to myself. I felt sure, however, that I should never marry Dorothy Vernon, and I do not mind telling you, even at this early stage in my history, that I was right in my premonition. I did not marry her. "I suppose I shall now be compelled to give you up to your relatives," said Manners. "Yes," I returned, "we must say good-by for the present; but if we do not meet again, it shall not be for the lack of my wishing. Your father and Sir George would feel deeply injured, should they learn of our friendship, therefore--" "You are quite right," he interrupted. "It is better that no one should know of it. Nevertheless, between you and me let there be no feud." "The secrecy of our friendship will give it zest," said I. "That is true, but 'good wine needs no bush.' You will not mention my name to the ladies?" "No, if you wish that I shall not." "I do so wish." When the stable boys had taken our horses, I gave my hand to Sir John, after which we entered the inn and treated each other as strangers. Soon after I had washed the stains of travel from my hands and face, I sent the maid to my cousins, asking that I might be permitted to pay my devotions, and Dorothy came to the tap-room in response to my message. When she entered she ran to me with outstretched hands and a gleam of welcome in her eyes. We had been rare friends when she was a child. "Ah, Cousin Malcolm, what a fine surprise you have given us!" she exclaimed, clasping both my hands and offering me her cheek to kiss. "Father's delight will be beyond measure when he sees you." "As mine now is," I responded, gazing at her from head to foot and drinking in her beauty with my eyes. "Doll! Doll! What a splendid girl you have become. Who would have thought that--that--" I hesitated, realizing that I was rapidly getting myself into trouble. "Say it. Say it, cousin! I know what is in your mind. Rusty red hair, angular shoulders, sharp elbows, freckles thickly set as stars upon a clear night, and so large and brown that they fairly twinkled. Great staring green eyes. Awkward!--" And she threw up her hands in mimic horror at the remembrance. "No one could have supposed that such a girl would have become--that is, you know," she continued confusedly, "could have changed. I haven't a freckle now," and she lifted her face that I might prove the truth of her words by examination, and perhaps that I might also observe her beauty.