‘He is a mere boy, for all that, and you are a man. I like men, for my part. When I was young, it wasn’t the fashion to admire long-haired, knock-kneed youths with narrow chests and æsthetic tastes. I’m behind the times, I know; but I stick to my old-fashioned views. I like a man who can take a horse across country without bringing him home lame, and who knows more of nature than of art. I suppose I should be called an old Philistine nowadays.’ ‘I don’t know, I’m sure. I don’t suppose the Philistines were half bad fellows, after all. However, I think Phil will do very well at Ladywell.’ ‘You’d do better,’ said Miss Marjory. ‘You think so?’ ‘I know it.’ ‘Well, Miss Marjory, I’m very glad to be quit of it and its responsibilities, that I can tell you,’ said Tor, stretching his long limbs as if to assure himself that the load was gone. ‘It has been a horrid nuisance at times—all this; and if it had not been for two things accomplished, I should feel inclined to think I had taken more trouble than the matter was worth.’ ‘What two things are those?’ ‘Keeping Maud out of the hands of the Belassis party, and making your acquaintance, Miss Marjory.’ Miss Marjory bowed. ‘Gaining a wife and a friend, is that it?’ said she. ‘You might have known me long ago if you had not been so lazy as to do all your business through an agent. Middlemen are a mistake.’ ‘My middle-man shall henceforward be dismissed. We will do business in future always at first hand—you and I, Miss Marjory.’ ‘And I shall get my own way in everything!’ cried Miss Marjory, with animation. ‘You don’t know what you are letting yourself in for!’ ‘I thought I was such a competent manager?’ ‘You can manage property pretty well, I admit,’ answered Miss Marjory; ‘but I am not aware that I ever said you could manage me!’ ‘Perish the thought!’ cried Tor, with fervour. ‘Miss Marjory, did anybody ever manage you since the days of your babyhood?’ ‘Of a certainty nobody did so during my babyhood,’ laughed Miss Marjory. ‘I ruled the household before I could speak.’ ‘And I’m sure you did so afterwards,’ said Tor, with gravity. ‘Well,’ said Miss Marjory, glancing up at him with quaint humour, ‘I’m not sure but what I did.’ ‘You were born great,’ he said, ‘whilst I only had greatness thrust upon me, of which I am very glad to be relieved.’ ‘Really?’ ‘Really and truly. Do you doubt it?’ ‘No; but I know I shouldn’t like to give up the reins of government when once I’d held them. I always do want my finger in everybody’s pie, especially when the pie takes the form of gardens. I never go round a place but what I want to lay it out anew myself, and suggest improvements.’ ‘Then I shall expect you to come and lay out mine for me, Miss Marjory, whenever I settle down. Now mind, I shall consider it a bargain from this time forth.’ ‘You are going to settle down, then? A good thing, too. “A rolling stone,” you know.’