And then this man had proposed to accompany him, had wanted to join
his party, had thought it possible that a flirtation might be
carried on in his presence! He sincerely hated the man. But what
was he to think of such a girl as Mary Masters when she could bring
herself to like the attentions of such a lover?
He was very cross with himself because he knew how unreasonable was
his anger. Of one thing only could he assure himself,--that he
would never again willingly put himself in Mary's company. What was
Dillsborough and the ways of its inhabitants to him? Why should he
so far leave the old fashions of his life as to fret himself about
an attorney's daughter in a little English town? And yet he did
fret himself, walking rapidly, and smoking his pipe a great deal
quicker than was his custom.
When he was about to return home he passed the front of the house,
and there, standing at the open door, he saw Mrs. Hopkins, the
housekeeper, who had in truth been waiting for him. He said a
good-natured word to her, intending to make his way on without
stopping, but she called him back. "Have you heard the news,
Mr. Reginald?" she said.
"I haven't heard any news this twelvemonth," he replied.
"Laws, that is so like you, Mr. Reginald. The young squire is to be
here next week."
"Who is the young squire? I didn't know there was any squire now.
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