They next went outside, and Lord Mountclere offered Ethelberta his arm on the ground of assisting her down the burnished grass slope.  Ethelberta, taking pity upon him, took it; but the assistance was all on her side; she stood like a statue amid his slips and totterings, some of which taxed her strength heavily, and her ingenuity more, to appear as the supported and not the supporter.  The incident brought Neigh still further from his retirement, and she learnt that he was one of a yachting party which had put in at Knollsea that morning; she was greatly relieved to find that he was just now on his way to London, whence he would probably proceed on his journey abroad.

Ethelberta adhered as well as she could to her resolve that Neigh should not speak with her alone, but by dint of perseverance he did manage to address her without being overheard.

‘Will you give me an answer?’ said Neigh.  ‘I have come on purpose.’

‘I cannot just now.  I have been led to doubt you.’

‘Doubt me?  What new wrong have I done?’

‘Spoken jestingly of my visit to Farnfield.’

’Good —–!  I did not speak or think of you.  When I told that incident I had no idea who the lady was—­I did not know it was you till two days later, and I at once held my tongue.  I vow to you upon my soul and life that what I say is true.  How shall I prove my truth better than by my errand here?’

’Don’t speak of this now.  I am so occupied with other things.  I am going to Rouen, and will think of it on my way.’

‘I am going there too.  When do you go?’

‘I shall be in Rouen next Wednesday, I hope.’

‘May I ask where?’

‘Hotel Beau Sejour.’

’Will you give me an answer there?  I can easily call upon you.  It is now a month and more since you first led me to hope—­’

‘I did not lead you to hope—­at any rate clearly.’

’Indirectly you did.  And although I am willing to be as considerate as any man ought to be in giving you time to think over the question, there is a limit to my patience.  Any necessary delay I will put up with, but I won’t be trifled with.  I hate all nonsense, and can’t stand it.’

‘Indeed.  Good morning.’

‘But Mrs. Petherwin—­just one word.’

‘I have nothing to say.’

’I will meet you at Rouen for an answer.  I would meet you in Hades for the matter of that.  Remember this:  next Wednesday, if I live, I shall call upon you at Rouen.’

She did not say nay.

‘May I?’ he added.

‘If you will.’

‘But say it shall be an appointment?’

‘Very well.’

Lord Mountclere was by this time toddling towards them to ask if they would come on to his house, Enckworth Court, not very far distant, to lunch with the rest of the party.  Neigh, having already arranged to go on to town that afternoon, was obliged to decline, and Ethelberta thought fit to do the same, idly asking Lord Mountclere if Enckworth Court lay in the direction of a gorge that was visible where they stood.