"Do you know, I have been half frightened," said Paul, climbing into
the cart beside her.
"And about what, pray?"
"Absurd nonsense, of course; but the old man who drove the coach
talked the most idiotic stuff when I asked him about your people.
Indeed, from his manner, I believe he was afraid of you."
Miss Guir did not laugh, nor seem in the least surprised. She only
drew a long breath and said: "Very likely!"
"But why should he be?" persisted Henley.
"It does seem strange," said the girl, pathetically, "but many people
are."
"I am sure I should never be afraid of you," added Paul,
confidentially.
"I hope not; and am I anything like what you expected?" she asked
with languid interest.
"Well, hardly--at least, you are better than I expected--I mean that
you are better--looking, you know."
He laughed, but the girl was silent. There was nothing trivial in her
manner, and she drove on for some minutes, devoting herself to the
horse and a careful scrutiny of the road, whose shadows, ruts, and
stones required constant attention. Presently, in an open space,
bathed in a flood of moonlight, she turned toward him and said: "I can not reciprocate, Mr. Henley, by saying that you are better
than I expected, for I expected a great deal; I also expected to like
you immensely."
"Which I hope you will promptly conclude to do," Paul added, with a
twinkle in his eyes, which was lost on his companion, in her endeavor
to urge the horse into a trot.
"No," she presently answered, "I can conclude nothing; for I like you
already, and quite as well as I anticipated."
"I'm awfully glad," said Henley, awkwardly, "and hope I'll answer the
purpose for which I was wanted."
"To be sure you will. Do you think that I should be bringing you back
with me if I were not quite sure of it?"
He had hoped for a different answer--one which might throw some light
upon the situation--but the girl was again quiet and introspective,
without affording the slightest clew to her thoughts. How did it
happen that he had proved so entirely satisfactory? Perhaps, then,
after all, the original Henley was not so important a personage as he
had imagined. But Paul scarcely hoped that his identity would remain
undiscovered after arriving at the young lady's home; then, indeed,
he might expect to be thrown upon his mettle to make things
satisfactory to the Guirs.