eagerly, he replying with expressive nods, and then he suddenly raised her face by the chin, kissed her hastily, and disappeared through an adjacent gap. They were totally unconscious of a spectator, and as the girl turned back, she came almost face to face with Betty--the girl was Lizzie Maccabe. “Good evening, miss,” she said in some confusion. “Lizzie, who was that you were speaking to?” enquired the young lady, in a tone of austere displeasure. “Indeed, Miss Elizabeth, it was just a friend.” “I could see _that_, but who was it?” “Well, then, indeed, Miss Elizabeth, I don’t see what right you have to ask.” “The same right as I would have to try and put you out, if I saw your clothes on fire, or to throw you a rope if you were drowning. You were walking with a gentleman, Lizzie.” “And if I was, miss?” returned Lizzie, flippantly, “sure the road is not mine!” “If you won’t tell _me_, I shall speak to your aunt; she had better look after you.” “Oh, she knows I am very well able to take care of myself,” returned the other pertly, “and since you are so anxious to know, I may as well tell you, that the gentleman was just Mr. Holroyd.” “Mr. Holroyd,” gasped Betty, who had been almost certain that she had recognised Denis. “Yes,” continued Lizzie, who lied boldly and well, “why not him as well as another? He means no harm, nor do I; a girl must have a bit of fun, as well as young ladies.” “He kissed you, Lizzie,” said Betty tragically. “Well, miss, and if he did, you need not pick me eyes out! We tradespeople are not so particular as the quality; he gives me a gold locket, and I give him a kiss, where’s the harm?” “There is great harm, Lizzie; you are not the girl I took you for.” “Maybe then, miss, if you were to look at _home_ you would not be so shocked at your neighbours. Maybe there’s a worse than _me_--maybe there’s a young lady as Mr. Holroyd can kiss for the asking.” “I have known you for years, Lizzie, and you and I were in the same class in Sunday school; rude as you are, I cannot forget that. Promise me that you will give up meeting Mr. Holroyd, and I will keep what I have seen to myself.” “Well then, miss,” after a moment’s hesitation, and with a curious smile, “I don’t mind if I do give up meeting Mr. Holroyd, just to oblige _you_. I am not so dead set upon him as some people, and Ballingoole is a shocking place for gossip. And as for Jane Bolland, I wonder the ground does not crack under her! I must be going now, Miss Elizabeth, and so I will wish you good evening,” and she flounced off, tossing her head and swinging her parasol as she went.