at this man could be the Major Grantly of whom she
and Grace had been talking during the whole length of the walk home.
But Grace and her lover had of course known each other at once, and
Grantly, though he was abashed and almost dismayed by the meeting, of
course came forward and gave his hand to his friend. Grace in taking
it did not utter a word.

"Perhaps I ought to have introduced myself to you as Major Grantly?"
said he, turning to the squire.

"Major Grantly! Dear me! I had no idea that you were expected in
these parts."

"I have come without being expected."

"You are very welcome, I'm sure. I hope your father is well? I used
to know him some years ago, and I daresay he has not forgotten me."
Then, while the girls stood by in silence, and while Grantly was
endeavouring to escape, the squire invited him very warmly to send
his portmanteau up to the house. "We'll have the ladies up from the
house below, and make it as little dull for you as possible." But
this would not have suited Grantly,--at any rate would not suit him
till he should know what answer he was to have. He excused himself
therefore, pleading a positive necessity to be at Guestwick that
evening, and then, explaining that he had already seen Mrs. Dale, he
expressed his intention of going back to the Small House in company
with the ladies, if they would allow him. The squire, who did not as
yet quite understand it all, bade him a formal adieu, and Lily led
the way home down behind the churchyard wall and through the bottom
of the gardens belonging to the Great House. She of course knew now
who the stranger was, and did all in her power to relieve Grace of
her embarrassment. Grace had hitherto not spoken a single word since
she had seen her lover, nor did she say a word to him in their walk
to the house. And, in truth, he was not much more communicative than
Grace. Lily did all the talking, and with wonderful female skill
contrived to have some words ready for use till they all found
themselves together in Mrs. Dale's drawing-room. "I have caught a
major, mamma, and landed him," said Lily laughing, "but I'm afraid,
from what I hear, that you had caught him first."

CHAPTER XXIX

Miss Lily Dale's Logic

Lady Julia De Guest always lunched at one exactly, and it was not
much past twelve when John Eames made his appearance at the cottage.
He was of course told to stay, and of course said that he would stay.
It had been his purpose to lunc