"Passing--perhaps, soon to return. Ha! look there. As I've said!"
This, as the kite swoops down upon a wood-quest, and strikes at it with outstretched talons. Missing it, nevertheless; for the strong-winged pigeon, forewarned by the other's shadow, has made a quick double in its flight, and so shunned the deadly clutch. Still, it is not yet safe; its tree covert is far off on the wooded slope, and the tyrant continues the chase. But the hawk has its enemy too, in a gamekeeper with his gun. Suddenly it is seen to suspend the stroke of its wings, and go whirling downward; while a shot rings out on the air, and the cushat, unharmed, flies on for the hill.
"Good!" exclaims Gwen, resting the oars across her knees, and clapping her hands in an ecstasy of delight. "The innocent has escaped!"
"And for that _you_ ought to be assured, as well as gratified," puts in the companion, "taking it as a symbol of yourself, and those imaginary dangers you've been dreaming about."
"True," assents Miss Wynn musingly; "but, as you see, the bird found a protector--just by chance, and in the nick of time."
"So will you; without any chance, and at such time as may please you."
"Oh!" exclaims Gwen, as if endowed with fresh courage. "I don't want one--not I! I'm strong to stand alone." Another tug at the oars to show it. "No," she continues, speaking between the plunges, "I want no protector--at least not yet: nor for a long while."
"But there's one wants you," says the companion, accompanying her words with an interrogative glance. "And soon--soon as he can have you."
"Indeed! I suppose you mean Master George Shenstone. Have I hit the nail upon the head?"
"Only that everybody observes his attentions to you."
"Everybody is a very busy body. Being so observant, I wonder if this everybody has also observed how I receive them?"
"With favour. 'Tis said you think highly of him."
"And so I do. There are worse men in the world than George Shenstone--possibly few better. And many a good woman would, and might, be glad to become his wife. For all, I know one of a very indifferent sort who wouldn't--that's Gwen Wynn."
"But he's very good-looking!" Ellen urges; "the handsomest gentleman in the neighbourhood. Everybody says so."