"Why, I do come as often as I am asked, Captain Rolph," said Lucy with a mischievous look in her eyes. "Do you, though? Well, never mind, come oftener." "Why?" said Lucy, with an innocent look of wonder in her round eyes. "Why? because I want to see you, you know. It's precious dull there sometimes." "What, with Glynne there?" cried Lucy. "Oh yes, sometimes. She reads so much." "Fie, Captain Rolph!" "No, no; nonsense. Oh, I say, though, I wish you would." "Really, Captain Rolph, I don't understand you," said Lucy, who was in a flutter of fright, mischief and triumph combined. "Oh yes, you do," he said, "but hold hard a minute. Back directly." He ran from her out to where something was hanging on a broken branch of a pine, and returned directly, putting on a flannel cricketing cap, and a long, hooded ulster, which, when buttoned up, gave him somewhat the aspect of a friar of orders grey, who had left his beads at home. "You do understand me," he said, not noticing the mirthful twinkle in Lucy's eye at his absurd appearance. "Oh yes, you do. It's all right. I say, Lucy Alleyne, what a one you are." Lucy's eyebrows went up a little at this remark, but she did not assume displeasure, she only looked at him inquiringly. "Oh, it's all right," he said again. "I am glad I met you, it's so precious dull down here." "What, when you have all your training to see to, Captain Rolph." "Oh, yes; awfully dull. You see Glynne doesn't take any interest in a fellow's pursuits. She used to at first, but now it's always books." "But you should teach her to be interested, Captain Rolph." "Oh, I say, hang it all, Lucy Alleyne, can't you drop that captaining of a fellow when we're out here _tete-a-tete_. It's all very well up at the Hall but not here, and so early in the morning, we needn't be quite so formal, eh?" "Just as you like," said Lucy, with the malicious twinkle in her eyes on the increase. "That's right," cried Rolph; "and, I say, you know, come, own up--you did, didn't you?" "Did what?" cried Lucy. "Know I was training this morning." "Indeed, no," cried Lucy, indignantly, with a look that in no wise abashed the captain. "Oh, come now, that won't do," cried Rolph. "There's nothing to be ashamed of." "I'm not a bit ashamed," cried Lucy stoutly; and then to herself, "Oh yes, I am--horribly. What a fright, to be sure!" "That's right," cried Rolph, "but I know you did come, and I say I'm awfully flattered, I am, indeed. I wish, you know, you'd take a little more interest in our matches and engagements: it would make it so much pleasanter for a fellow." "Would it?" said Lucy. "Would it? Why, of course it would. You see I should feel more like those chaps used, in the good old times, you know, when they used to bring the wreaths and prizes they had won, and lay 'em at ladies' feet, only that was confoundedly silly, of course. I don't believe in that romantic sort of work."