the
nearest road, but turned off instead to a path which went winding up
and down the hill and through plantations of wood, giving Eleanor views
also, of a different sort; and so did not come out upon the front of
the house till long after the carriage party had been safely housed.
Eleanor found she was alone and was not to be sheltered under her
mother's wing or any other; and her conductor's face was much too
satisfied to invite comments. He swung her down from the saddle,
allowed her to remove her cap, and putting her hand on his arm walked
her into the drawing-room and the presence of his mother.

Eleanor had seen Lady Rythdale once before, in a stately visit which
had been made at the Lodge; never except that one time. The old
baroness was a dignified looking person, and gave her a stately
reception now; rather stiff and cold, Eleanor thought; or careless and
cold, rather.

"My dear," said the old lady, "have you come in a riding-habit? That
will be very uncomfortable. Go to my dressing-room, and let Arles
change it for something else. She can fit you. Macintosh, you shew her
the way."

No questions were asked. Mr. Carlisle obeyed, putting Eleanor's hand on
his arm again, and walked her off out of the room and through a gallery
and up the stairs, and along another gallery. He walked fast. Eleanor
felt exceedingly abashed and displeased and discomfited at this
extraordinary proceeding, but she did not know how to resist it. Her
compliance was taken for granted, and Mr. Carlisle was laughing at her
discomfiture, which was easy enough to be seen. Eleanor's cheeks were
glowing magnificently. "I suppose he feels he has me in his own
dominions now,"--she thought; and the thought made her very rebellious.
Lady Rythdale too!

"Mr. Carlisle," she began, "there is really no occasion for all this. I
am perfectly comfortable. I do not wish to alter my dress."

"What do you call me?" said he stopping short.

"Mr. Carlisle."

"Call me something else."

The steady bright hazel eyes which were looking at her asserted their
power. In spite of her irritation and vexation she obeyed his wish, and
asked him somewhat loftily, to take her back again to the company.

"Against my mother's commands? Do you not think they are binding on
you, Eleanor?"

"No, I do not!"

"You will allow they are on me. My darling," said he, laughing and
kissing her, "you must submit to be displeased for your good." And he
walked on again. Ele