He had no special intention of watching for Lord Exham, and indeed had for the moment forgotten his existence, when the young man leaped his horse over the wall of the Atheling plantation. The act annoyed the Squire; he was proud of his plantation, and did not like trespassing through it. Such a little thing often decides a great thing; and this trifling offence made it easy for the Squire to say,--
"Good-morning, Piers, I wish you would dismount. I have a few words to speak to you;" and there was in his voice that shivery half-tone which is neither one thing nor the other: and Exham recognised it without applying the change to himself. He was a little annoyed at the delay; but he leaped to the ground, put the bridle over his arm, and stood beside the Squire, who then said,--
"Piers, I have come to the decision not to sanction any longer your attentions to Kate--unless your father also sanctions them. It is high time your engagement was either publicly acknowledged or else put an end to."
"You are right, Squire; what do you wish me to do? I will make Kate my wife at any time you propose. I desire nothing more earnestly than this."
"Easy, Piers, easy. You must obtain the Duke's consent first."
"I could hardly select a worse time to ask him for it. I am of full age. I am my own master. I will marry Kate in the face of all opposition."
"I say you will not. My daughter is not for you, if there is any opposition. The Duke and Duchess are at the head of your house; and Kate cannot enter a house in which she would be unwelcome."
"And be a divider between you and your father and mother. No! In the end she would get the worst of it; and, even if she got the best of it, I am not willing she should begin a life of quarrelling and hatred. You can see the Duke at your convenience, and let me know what he says."
"I will see him to-day," he had taken out his watch and was looking at it as he spoke. "Will you excuse me now, Squire?" he asked. "I sent Kate a message early this morning promising to call for her about eleven. I am already late."
"You may turn back. I will make an excuse for you. You cannot ride with Kate to-day."
"Squire, I made the offer and the promise. Permit me to honour my word."