In fact, Miss Lucy and Hoffland were sauntering in from the garden in high glee. Lucy from time to time burst into loud and merry laughter, clapping her hands, and expressing great delight at something which Hoffland was communicating; and Hoffland was bending down familiarly and whispering in her ear. No sooner, however, had the promenaders caught sight of Mowbray and Denis looking at them, than their manner suddenly changed. Hoffland drew back, and raising his head with great dignity, solemnly offered his arm to the young girl; and Lucy, choking down her merriment and puckering up her lips to hide her laughter, placed her little finger on the sleeve of her cavalier. And so they approached the inmates of the cottage, with quiet and graceful dignity, like noble lord and lady; and entering, bowed ceremoniously, and sat down with badly smothered laughter. "Really," said Mowbray smiling, "you will permit me to say, Charles, that you have a rare genius for making acquaintance suddenly: Lucy and yourself seem to be excellent friends already." And he looked kindly at the boy, who smiled. "Friends?" said Hoffland; "we are cousins!" "Cousins? Indeed!" "Certainly, my dear fellow," said Hoffland, with a delightful ease and _bonhomie_. "I have discovered that my great-grandmother married the cousin of an uncle of cousin Lucy's great-grandfather's wife's aunt; and moreover, that this aunt was the niece of my great-uncle's first wife's husband. That makes it perfectly plain--don't it, Mr. Denis? Take care how you differ with me: cousin Lucy understands it perfectly, and she has a very clear head." "Thank you, sir," said Lucy, laughing; "a great compliment." "Not at all," said Hoffland; "some women have a great deal of sense--or at least a good deal." "Indeed, sir!" "Yes; but it is not their failing generally. I have taken up that impression of you, cousin Lucy, from our general conversation; not from your ability to comprehend so simple a genealogical table as that of our relationship." "Upon my word, _I_ don't understand it," said Mowbray, smiling. "Is it possible, Ernest? Listen again, then. My great-grandfather--recollect him, now--married the uncle of a cousin--observe, the uncle of a cousin----" "What! your great-grandfather married the _uncle_ of somebody's cousin? Is it possible?" "Now you are laughing at me," said Hoffland, pouting; "what if I did get it a little wrong? I meant that my great-grandmother married the uncle of a cousin of cousin Lucy's wife's great-grandfather's aunt--who----" "Lucy's wife is then involved, is she, Charles?" asked Mowbray; "but go on." "No, I won't!" said Hoffland; "you are just trying to confuse and embarrass me. I will not tell you any more: but cousin Lucy understands; don't you, Miss Lucy?" "Quite enough to understand that we occupy a closer relationship than we seem to," said Lucy, threatening to burst into laughter.