"Neither do I, Miss Vincent." They were walking across the field by this time, he leading the mare, and she taking the narrow foot-path; "in fact, though I wouldn't like to tell Miss Barton so, I am very fond of it. Why, when I was up for a week a month ago I went four times." He looked at her knowingly, as if to establish a confidence. "I went to see 'The Lovers' Lesson'--a lovely piece, Miss Vincent; it made one feel"--Mr. Garratt lowered his voice at this point--"what real love was. Oh, I say, there's a stile to this next field; I didn't know that. I shall have to take the mare over." He put his foot into the stirrup, vaulted into the saddle, and went over with the air of a huntsman talking a five-barred gate; then dismounted and waited for Margaret. "Allow me to give you a hand," he said, and squeezed her fingers as she stepped down. "Please don't," she said, haughtily. "I'd do it again," he said, "to see the color come like that; you don't know what you make one feel like." "I don't wish to know. Be good enough to remember that you come to see Hannah." "But it isn't Hannah I want to come and see." She turned upon him quickly. "It is only Hannah who wishes to see you, understand that." "Oh, I say, what a spitfire! Look here, Miss Vincent, don't be angry. You and I ought to be friends, you know; and I don't mean any harm." After all, he was only vulgar, Margaret thought. "I'm sure you don't mean any harm--" she said, though not very graciously. He felt that it would be a good move to get back to neutral subjects. "Do you know the gent who has taken the house by the church?" he asked. "You seemed to be taking an interest in him." "He is a friend of my father's," she condescended to inform him. "He must be a swell--he's a 'Sir,' anyhow. You know, I've got an idea that you and your father are swells, too. Why, you and Miss Barton are as different as chalk from cheese--there isn't any looking at her when you are there." Margaret walked on without a word, but he followed her meekly; it was all the same to Mr. Garratt. "You're a downright beauty, that's what I think. I say! There's Hannah standing by the porch, looking out," for by this time they were within half a field and the length of the garden from the house. "She will be wild when she sees me walking with you, you know. Now, then," he added, touching his own shoulder with the crop in his hand as she made a sign of impatience, "don't be disagreeable again, there's a dear girl. Let's talk about the theatre; you like that, you know, and we've only got five minutes left. I'll tell you what you ought to have seen--'The School for Scandal,' and Miss Hunstan in it." "Oh, did you see her!" Margaret exclaimed, and took a step nearer to him. Hannah, watching from the porch, saw it. A deep pink came to her cheeks and to the tip of her nose. Some one in the best parlor, looking through the little lattice window, saw it, too, and drew conclusions.