"I just wanted to know you," said Hastings, reddening, "and Victoria--I mean Miss Flint--said she'd introduce me." "I'm much obliged to her," said Austen, smiling. "Are you in politics?" asked Hastings. "I'm afraid not," answered Austen, with a glance at Victoria. "You're not helping Humphrey Crewe, are you?" "No," said Austen, and added with an illuminating smile, "Mr. Crewe doesn't need any help." "I'm glad you're not," exclaimed the downright Hastings, with palpable relief in his voice that an idol had not been shattered. "I think Humphrey's a fakir, and all this sort of thing tommyrot. He wouldn't get my vote by giving me lemonade and cake and letting me look at his cows. If you ever run for office, I'd like to cast it for you. My father is only a summer resident, but since he has gone out of business he stays here till Christmas, and I'll be twenty-one in a year." Austen had ceased to smile; he was looking into the boy's eyes with that serious expression which men and women found irresistible. "Thank you, Mr. Weare," he said simply. Hastings was suddenly overcome with the shyness of youth. He held out his hand, and said, "I'm awfully glad to have met you," and fled. Victoria, who had looked on with a curious mixture of feelings, turned to Austen. "That was a real tribute," she said. "Is this the way you affect everybody whom you meet?" They were standing almost alone. The sun was nearing the western hills beyond the river, and people had for some time been wending their way towards the field where the horses were tied. He did not answer her question, but asked one instead. "Will you let me drive you home?" "Do you think you deserve to, after the shameful manner in which you have behaved?" "I'm quite sure that I don't deserve to," he answered, still looking down at her. "If you did deserve to, being a woman, I probably shouldn't let you," said Victoria, flashing a look upwards; "as it is, you may." His face lighted, but she halted in the grass, with her hands behind her, and stared at him with a puzzled expression. "I'm sure you're a dangerous man," she declared. "First you take in poor little Hastings, and now you're trying to take me in." "Then I wish I were still more dangerous," he laughed, "for apparently I haven't succeeded." "I want to talk to you seriously," said Victoria; "that is the only reason I'm permitting you to drive me home." "I am devoutly thankful for the reason then," he said,--"my horse is tied in the field." "And aren't you going to say good-by to your host and hostess?" "Hostess?" he repeated, puzzled. "Hostesses," she corrected herself, "Mrs. Pomfret and Alice. I thought you had eyes in your head," she added, with a fleeting glance at them. "Is Crewe engaged to Miss Pomfret?" he asked. "Are all men simpletons?" said Victoria. "He doesn't know it yet, but he is." "I think I'd know it, if I were," said Austen, with an emphasis that made her laugh.