"What are you cross about, Father? Has Piers vexed you?"
"Am I cross, Kitty? I did not know it. Go to bed, child. England stands where she did, and Piers is yet Lord of Exham Hall. I dare say he will be here to-morrow. I came at my own pace. He would have to keep the pace of two fine ladies. And I'll be bound he fretted like a race-horse yoked in a plough."
And Kitty was wise enough to know that she had heard all she was likely to hear that night; nor was she ill-pleased to be alone with her hopes. Piers was at hand. To-morrow she might see him, and hear him speak, and feel the tenderness of his clasp, and meet the love in his eyes. So she sat at the open casement, breathing the sweetness and peace of the night, and shaping things for the future that made her heart beat quick with many thoughts not to be revealed. The faint smile of the loving, dreaming of the loved one, was on her lips; and if a doubt came to her, she put it far away. In fear she would not dwell, and, besides, her heart had given her that insight which changes faith into knowledge. She _knew_ that Piers loved her.
The Squire had no such clear confidence. When Kitty had gone away, he said plainly, "I am not pleased with Piers. I do not like his ways; I do not like them at all. After Kate left London, he was seen everywhere, and constantly, with Miss Vyner."
"Why not? She is one of his own household."
"They were very confidential together. I noticed them often for Kitty's sake."
"I do wish, Squire, that you would leave Kitty's love-affairs alone."
"_That_ I will not, Maude. If I have any business now, it is to pay attention to them. I have taken your 'let-alone' plan, far too long. My girl shall not be courted in any such underhand, mouse-in-the-corner way. Her engagement to Lord Exham must be publicly acknowledged, or else broken entirely off."
"The man loves Kate. He will do right to her."
"Loves Kate! Very good. But what of the Other One? He cannot do right to both."
"Yes, he can. Their claims are different. You may depend on that. Kate is the love of his soul; the Other One is like a sister."
"I do not trust either Piers or the Other One--and I wish she would give me my ring."
"You do not certainly know that she has your ring."