He looked down, and saw Daisy Morland, the farmer’s daughter, her large freckled face raised amiably to his between the puffed red ringlets. Lovel disliked Daisy as much as Daisy liked him; he avoided her company as pointedly as she sought his; the fact that he was for the moment in her father’s employ no doubt encouraged her to think that she had a certain claim on him; and now especially when his mind was bent upon Clare she seemed to him more than usually aggressive. “I’ll help you drive them home,” she exclaimed brightly. “No need, I have the dogs,” said Lovel, and added, “thanks,” which he was far from feeling. “No trouble, you know,” said Daisy, giving him a look full of meaning. Several of their neighbours were watching the scene with amusement. “Best let me take them quietly,” said Lovel; “and anyhow,” he added, as though that settled the matter, “I’m riding.” “Oh, but I’ve got the cob!” cried Daisy triumphantly. “Best not,” said Lovel, for he could think of nothing else to say. “But I say yes,” said Daisy. “Come, Lovel,” she persisted in a coaxing voice, “my own father’s sheep? You wouldn’t stop me riding alongside you?” Lovel felt himself beaten; he had, indeed, no reasonable objection to raise. “I shan’t be taking them by the high road.” “So much the better,” said Daisy. A clear voice said beside them suddenly, “Lovel, I have a favour to ask; I don’t like riding alone in such a crowd of people, may I ask your escort back to the Manor House when you go?” He turned upon Clare, who had come up unobserved, and saw the mischief beneath the request so formally and demurely proffered. “Of course, Miss Warrener, I am at your service,” he replied instantly, and they stood, for a moment, the two of them together, looking at Daisy, whose freckled face had grown suffused with an unbecoming red, that clashed with the red of her hair and spread patchily round her throat down to the opening of her gown. “Forgive me for interrupting you, Daisy,” said Clare serenely. Daisy mumbled a “No matter, miss,” class triumphing over sex. “Can I get your pony for you, Miss Warrener?” said Lovel to Clare politely. “I will wait till you are ready,” said Clare politely to Lovel! Their eyes met. “Let us go,” said Lovel irresistibly.