"Why?" she asked, a fine colour coming into her cheeks, which deepened as she met his eyes. "Because no one there has ever seen me do a service for any one," he replied. "Perhaps no one has demanded service of you," she said quietly. "No one has," he answered, with a certain grimness that suggested such a demand might have met with small response. "In this instance I believe the idea originated with me." She laughed brightly. "You made me bring the coat," she said. "It is only fair you should carry it." "I am not complaining. When you are tired, say so, and we will rest by the wayside. We have a long way to go yet; and I do not wish to carry you as well as your coat." Again she laughed brightly and looked up into his face with merry eyes. "You boasted that you could do that as easily as you could lift a feather. I should not mind carrying a feather," she said. He looked down at her, quietly amused. "Think of the amazement at the hotel if I were seen carrying you back!" he said, and smiled at the quick flush which overspread her face. "I do not concern myself about the opinion of other people, as you appear to do," she retorted. "Very well," he replied. "Then, when you are tired, say so, and I will support my boast in a practical manner." "I will consider your sensitiveness in preference to my comfort," she said. "You have not known me very long," he returned; "but in the time I should have thought that a person of ordinary discernment would have discovered that I possess no sensibilities to disturb." "I have discovered one or two things about you," she answered gently, "but not that." She felt relieved that he did not pursue the subject. He lifted his stick and pointed with it away to the right, where the white wall of a building showed among the trees. "That is where we shall breakfast on our return," he said. "On our return! Then you mean to go further?" "We shall walk a good mile--two miles, if you are equal to it--beyond the house," he said. "The road gets more beautiful the further you travel. But we will stop when you wish. After you have breakfasted you shall rest as long as you like before making the journey back." Book 1--CHAPTER EIGHT.