“Oh!” said Richard, and going into the box, lifted her foot and looked at the shoe. Alas, Miss Brown had worn out many shoes since Barbara drove a nail in her hoof! Had there been one of hers there, he would have known it--by a pretty peculiarity in the turn of the point back into the hoof which she called her mark. The mare sniffed about his head in friendly fashion. “She smells the smithy!” said Arthur to himself.--“Yes; your grandfather's work.” he remarked. “I should be sorry to see any other man shoe horse of mine!” “So should I!” answered Richard. “--I wonder why Miss Wylder sold Miss Brown!” he said, after a pause. “I am not so curious!” rejoined Arthur. “She sold her, and I bought her.” Neither divined that the animal stood there a sacrifice to Barbara's love of Richard. Arthur had given up hope of winning Barbara, but the thought that the bookbinder-fellow might now, as he vulgarly phrased it to himself, go in and win, swelled his heart with a yet fiercer jealousy. “I hate him,” he said in his heart. Yet Arthur was not a bad fellow as fellows go. He was only a man for himself, believing every man must be for himself, and count the man in his way his enemy. He was just a man who had not begun to stop being a devil. At breakfast lady Ann was almost attentive to her stepson. As it happened they were left alone at the table. Suddenly she addressed him. “Richard, I have one request to make of you,” she said; “I hope you will grant it me!” “I will if I can,” he answered; “but I must not promise without knowing what it is.” “You do not feel bound to please me, I know! I have the misfortune not to be your mother!” “I feel bound to please you where I can, and shall be more than glad to do so.” “It is a small thing I am going to ask. I should not have thought of mentioning it, but for the terms you seem upon with Mr. Wingfold.” “I hope to see him within an hour or so.” “I thought as much!--Do you happen to remember a small person who came a good deal about the house when you were at work here?” “If your ladyship means Miss Wylder, I remember her perfectly.” “It is necessary to let you know, and then I shall leave the matter to your good sense, that Mrs. Wylder, and indeed the girl herself at various times, has behaved to me with such rudeness, that you cannot in ordinary decency have acquaintance with them. I mention it in case Mr. Wingfold should want to take you to see them. They are parishioners of his.” “I am sorry I must disappoint you,” said Richard. Lady Ann rose with a grey glitter in her eyes. “Am I to understand you _intend_ calling on the Wylders?” she said. “I have imperative reasons for calling upon them this very morning,” answered Richard. “I am sorry you should so immediately show your antagonism!” said lady Ann. “My obligations to Miss Wylder are such that I must see her the first possible moment.” “Have you asked your father's permission?” “I have not,” answered Richard, and left the room hurriedly.