Katherine's eyes followed his to the gabled, irregular red brick house, with its wreath of blue smoke going straight up into the winter sky. "I have never seen one before," she told him. "You can imagine how wonderful this appears to me after the place where I have lived. I had only seen Hampton Court, but somehow all the people there and its being a museum did not make it have the impression of a house that is inhabited." "This pleases you, does it?" "Naturally. I love everything about it, the space, and people not being allowed in. It is Her Ladyship's own--she can shut the gates if she wants to and have it all to herself--that must be good." "What a strange girl! You would not like to share anything, then? I have already remarked this deplorably selfish instinct in you, in reference to your dreamland--and you would keep poor devils out of your park, too, if you could!" "Generally--yes." "Well, I want to be the exception to this exclusiveness. If I come up one afternoon to the old schoolroom, for instance, and ask you to talk to me, will you turn me out?" "It depends what you want me to talk to you about. If it is upon a subject only to please you--yes--if to please me then I may let you stay for a little." "What subjects would please you?" "I would like to hear all about the pictures in the house, for instance--you see, before I came to Lady Garribardine I had never conversed with anyone educated in art. So I have only a very little book knowledge to go upon." "We will talk about art then; the house is full of interesting things, part of it is so old." For the rest of the way he did his best to entertain his aunt's insignificant secretary, and they both knew that the walk had been very charming. When they got into the shrubbery, Katherine took the path which led to the small rose-garden courtyard, on which the schoolroom staircase opened. "Of course, I had forgotten you have a front door all to yourself." "Yes--our roads divide here. Good morning, Mr. Strobridge." "Are you going to shake hands with me?" "No, it is quite unnecessary." "_Au revoir_, then. To-night I shall dance with you. I have not danced for ten years." "Then probably you will not do it well. Recollect I come from Bindon's Green where we learn the very newest steps. I never have put up with a bad partner." "I can't 'turkey trot,' if that is what you mean." "Then I am afraid you are too old and too old-fashioned for my taste." And smiling demurely, she walked off to the quaint, wrought-iron gate which opened into the rose garden.