"'Thank you,' he answered, and we walked away together. There was not time for much talk, and he had said nothing of himself when we opened the door. Satterlee was standing with his back to the fire, and no sooner did he see my companion than he sprang forward, in eager welcome. 'Burton of Darrow, by all the gods!' he cried. 'Where's your hat, good friend?' "He of the golden locks burst into a merry laugh,--what white teeth he had! 'It is gone forever. Do let me know your friend, who has been so kind to me about it.' "We were introduced to each other in due form, and Burton sat down at our hearth like an old friend, chatting merrily, and warming his great fists at the blaze. 'I ought not to have stayed so long,' he said presently, 'my father will have waited for me. Can the hats be marshalled, Mr. Erle?' "I brought out all my store, and Satterlee's too, and, amid much laughter, Burton managed to hide some of his mane under a soft felt, and bade us good night. 'I must have you both at Darrow,' he said, his hand on the latch; 'remember that, and expect a note in the morning to tell you when to come.' "As the door closed I laid my hands on Dick's shoulders. '_Who_ is he?' was all I said. "'Why, Gerald, you're waking up,' he answered. 'If the male Burton can do this, what will not Lillie do?' "'But who is he?' I repeated. "'He's the oldest son of John Burton of Darrow, in ----shire. They are farmers, and they might be gentlemen, but they are queer, and won't. For generations untold they have cultivated their own land, and are mighty men at the plough and in the saddle. So are the women of the family, for that matter. But you will see when we go down. They are one of the few great yeoman families left in the land. We shall have a jolly time.' "'And who is Lillie?' I asked. "'This man's sister. If you want to see a woman ride, see her,--it's absolute perfection,--hereditary too: they all ride till they marry.' "'And not afterwards?' I said, very much amused. "'Never for mere pleasure, I believe. They have family traditions about all sorts of things, this among others. It is some notion about taking care of their homes and children, if I remember rightly. Miss Lillie will tell you all about it. How lucky that you met Jack this afternoon.' "This was all I could get out of Satterlee; but, dull as you may think it, I was really interested, and waited impatiently for the coming invitation.