“I am fortunate in meeting you, Miss Betty,” he continued, “for it strikes me, that we are like the little couple in the weather-glass house: when I am here, you are at Noone; when I am at Noone, you are here.” “I come over to read with Cuckoo two mornings a week; we take it month about--it is my turn to come to her,” returned the girl, looking at him steadily. If Mr. Holroyd was going to stare at her in that odd way, she would dislike him extremely. Mr. Holroyd read her haughty young face like a book. What a pretty mouth and chin she had--a pretty mouth that looked as if it could speak proud things! “I wish you would allow me to come and do lessons with you,” he returned with a smile. “I am shockingly ignorant, my spelling is shaky, and my geography deplorable.” “I think it more likely we should learn from you; you have seen so much of the world, and so many strange places and people, I am sure you could teach us a great deal.” “I could teach you Hindustani and the new sword exercise, and how to load cartridges.” “Ah! I am afraid that your instruction would be wasted on us,” she answered, looking after Mrs. Malone, who had been hurried off to the hotbed by Joe the gardener. “May I ask what you are doing?” he enquired, glancing at a hammer and some pieces of scarlet cloth she held in her hand. “Have you been cutting up the Major’s uniform?” “I have been nailing up the Cloth of Gold rose, which the wind has blown down; but you see there are some trails that I could not reach,” pointing to them as she spoke. In another instant, George was on the ladder, receiving nails and bits of cloth, and particular directions, gazing down into a pair of beautiful upturned eyes. The full effect of a pair of exquisite upturned eyes must be experienced to be appreciated! George studied them gravely. Something told him that it was no ordinary maiden who held the ladder; he must not flirt with this innocent inexperienced girl. No, no; Honour stood by with her finger on her lips. “You seem to know your way about here pretty well,” he observed, _apropos_ of Bridgetstown, when they had conversed with frank companionship for some time. “Yes, I am quite at home. I have been coming here since I was a little thing. Your mother calls me her eldest daughter.” “Then I am your brother, of course.” “No, no, that does not follow by any means; you are a stranger at Ballingoole.” “Yes, I know I am only a mere Englishman, but I hope I shall be presented with the freedom of the town. Mrs. Finny assures me that I am an honoured and distinguished visitor.” “What would be the good of the freedom of the town? It is a stagnant little place; we have no excitements; and you are a soldier--a wanderer on the face of the earth.” “That is true, I am a rolling stone, and don’t care much about the moss.” “You like the life, then?” “Yes, I could not conceive any other; it suits me down to the ground.” “And what will you do when you are what the Major calls ‘kicked out?’”