"No, he didn't. Green sticks to his own business and nothing will turn him from it." The squire suddenly lashed with his whip at the grass in front of him, causing Columbus to jump violently and turn a resentful eye upon him. "I'll tell you what passed if you want to know." "Thank you," said Juliet simply. She leaned forward after a moment and pulled Columbus to her side; fondling his pricked ears reassuringly. "It was on Sunday," said Fielding. "My wife saw you in church. She took rather a fancy to you. I hope you don't object?" "Why should I?" said Juliet. "Exactly. Why should you? Well, after Green's introduction, when you had gone, I asked him if he knew anything about you. He said he had only made your acquaintance the day before, that you had told him that you had held the post of companion to someone, he didn't say who. And I wondered if possibly you might feel inclined to see how you got on with my wife in that capacity. She is not strong. She wants a companion." Juliet's grey eyes gazed steadily before her as she listened. The evening light shone on her brown head, showing streaks of gold here and there. Her attitude was one of grave attention. As he ended, she turned towards him, still caressing the dog at her feet. "Wouldn't it be better," she said, "if Mrs. Fielding knew me before offering me such a post?" The squire smiled at her abruptly. "No, I don't think so. It wouldn't be worth while unless you mean to consider it." "Is that her point of view?" asked Juliet. "No; it's mine. If she gets to know you and sets her heart on having you, and then you go and disappoint her--I shall be the sufferer," explained Fielding, with another cut at the grass in front of him. It was Juliet's turn to smile. "But I can't--possibly--decide until we have met, can I?" she said. "Does that mean you'll consider it?" asked the squire. "I am considering it," said Juliet. "But please give me time! For I have only just begun." "That's fair," he conceded. "How long will it take you?" She began to laugh. There was something almost boyishly naive about him, notwithstanding his obvious bad temper. "You haven't told me any details yet," she said. "Oh, you mean money," he said. "I leave that to you. You can name your own terms." "Thank you," said Juliet again. "That would naturally appeal to me very much. But as a matter of fact, I was not referring to money at that moment." He gave her a keen look. "I didn't mean to offend you. Are you offended?" She met his eyes quite squarely. "On second thoughts--no!" "Why second thoughts?" he demanded. Her colour rose faintly. "Because I think second thoughts are--kinder." Fielding turned suddenly crimson. "So I'm a cad and a bounder, am I?" he said furiously.