‘We have come back earlier than we intended,’
said Lily. She of course had seen the stranger
with her uncle, and knowing the ways of the squire
in such matters had expected to be introduced to him.
But the reader will be aware that no introduction
was possible. It never occurred to Lily that
this man could be Major Grantly of whom she and Grace
had been talking during the whole length of the walk
home. But Grace and her lover had of course known
each other at once, and Grantly, though he was abashed
and almost dismayed by the meeting, of course came
forward and gave his hand to his friend. Grace
in taking it did not utter a word.
‘Perhaps I ought to have introduced myself to
you as Major Grantly,’ said he, turning to the
squire.
’Major Grantly! Dear me! I had no
idea that you were expected in these parts.’
‘I have come without being expected.’
’You are very welcome, I’m sure.
I hope your father is well? I used to know
him some years ago, and I daresay he has not forgotten
me.’ Then, while the girls stood by in
silence, and while Grantly was endeavouring to escape,
the squire invited him very warmly to send his portmanteau
up to the house. ’We’ll have the
ladies up from the house below, and make it as little
dull for you as possible.’ But this would
not have suited Grantly—at any rate would
not suit him till he should know what answer he was
to have. He excused himself therefore, pleading
a positive necessity to be at Guestwick that evening,
and then, explaining that he had already seen Mrs
Dale, he expressed his intention of going back to
the Small House in company with the ladies, if they
would allow him. The squire, who did not yet
quite understand it all, bade him a formal adieu,
and Lily led the way home down behind the churchyard
wall and through the bottom of the gardens belonging
to the Great House. She of course knew now who
the stranger was, and did all in her power to relieve
Grace of her embarrassment. Grace had hitherto
not spoken a single word since she had seen her lover,
nor did she say a word to him in their walk to the
house. And, in truth, he was not much more communicative
than Grace. Lily did all the talking, and with
wonderful female skill contrived to have some words
ready for use till they all found themselves together
in Mrs Dale’s drawing-room. ’I have
caught a major, mamma, and landed him,’ said
Lily laughing, ’but I’m afraid, from what
I hear, that you had caught him first.’
MISS LILY DALE’S LOGIC
