ll swallow _nothing_!" was Juliet's second diagnosis, and she braced
herself for the fray. The introduction was simple in the extreme.

"This is Clare!" said Antony, whereupon Mrs Maplestone said hurriedly:
"How d'you do. So pleased! You must have tea!" and the Squire said
nothing at all, but cleared his throat, and pulled forward a chair.
Then they all sat down, and Mrs Maplestone busied herself over the
tea-tray, while her husband took his turn to stare.

He began at Juliet's feet, and considered them judiciously. Large, but
well shaped, wore a good boot. Next he studied her hands, cocking a
jealous eye at the emerald ring. Large again, but white; good fingers;
manicured nails. Thirdly he considered her figure, and was pleased to
approve. Pine girl, some flesh on her bones, none of your modern
skeletons. Last of all he looked at her face. "Humph! not so bad.
Points; distinctly points! Antony was not such a fool as he looked!"
In five minutes' time the Squire could have passed an examination on the
subject of Juliet's appearance, and she realised as much, and felt
correspondingly elated when the hard eyes softened, and an offer of hot
scones was prefaced by, "My dear." My dear had been examined and found
correct. My dear was approved. By the time that cups were filled for
the second time, the Squire had thawed to the point of jocularity.

"Well, Miss Clare, and what tales has this fine fellow been telling you
about me? Wicked uncle, eh? Cruel ogre. Gouty old tartar, who insists
upon having his own way, and bullies his unfortunate nephew till he is
obliged to give in for the sake of peace? That's it, eh? That's what
he told you."

Juliet looked across at Antony, discovered him flushed, frowning,
supremely uncomfortable, and tilted her head with a charming audacity.

"Does that mean that he was bullied into having Me? It wouldn't be
exactly `peaceful' for him, if I believed that! He certainly would not
dare to tell me anything so unflattering."

The Squire hastened to eat his words. The girl was a nice girl; frank,
friendly, with a touch of the devil which was entirely to his taste.
Not for the world would he prejudice her against the boy.

"No, no; not at all, not at all. Precious little notice he took of my
wishes, until it suited himself to follow my advice. Obstinate fellow,
you know; obstinate as a mule. Wouldn't think it to see him sitting
there, looking as if he couldn't say boo to a