away without once
looking behind, and if you could do that--I verily believe I should run
after you. But let me tell you, sir, whimpering never won a woman--at
least not one like me!"

She turned and entered the carriage, which started at once on its
pleasant journey through the Westmoreland dales towards the south.

Miss Aline was sitting with her handkerchief to her eyes when Patsy sat
down beside her.

"Why, what in the world is the matter, dear Miss Aline?" cried Patsy.

"I do think you might have been kinder to him," said the old lady. "I
could not bear you to send him away like that."

"All for his good," said Patsy easily. "He has been too long mollied
over by his mother, besides getting all his own way from his
grandfather. But ... before I finish I shall make a man of Master
Louis!"

"And Stair Garland?" ventured Miss Aline, taking one swift glance
sidelong at Patsy's dark, decided face.

"Oh, Stair Garland," said Patsy with emphasis, "he is a man already. As
old Dupont, my French governess, used to say, Stair Garland was born
with the 'panache.'"

"And what does that mean?"

"Why, that he was born with his hat-plume in the wind and his hand on a
sword-hilt. But I am not sure that he has not been born a century or so
too late. What a soldier of fortune he would make, what a cavalry
leader, what an adventurer--what a lover!"

"But, my dear," said Miss Aline, speaking very softly, "what a very
dangerous man to think of marrying!"

Patsy slid her hand under the silken half-mitt of fine lace and stroked
the little dry, trembling hand which nestled into hers.

"Little angel, I am not thinking of marrying Stair Garland," she
laughed; "rest easy in that dear peaceful soul of yours."

"I am so glad," said Miss Aline, furtively dabbing at her eyes. "Louis,
there, is like a boy of my own, and he has always been good and brave.
One feels so safe with him--"

"Oh, please don't turn me against the poor lad!" cried Patsy, stuffing
her fingers into her ears that she might hear no more of Louis Raincy's
praises.

"And the other--that Stair Garland?" Miss Aline continued, with a
certain unusual sharpness, "he is so wild. He rides at the head of gangs
of smugglers and defies everybody, even the minister and my Lord Raincy.
I am sure that he would be very insusceptible to proper domestic
influences. I doubt if even you could tame him."

"I doubt if I should want him tamed!" said Patsy, with the same dark
gle