he
like of my Duke there. He set off to fetch you all to Corfe Castle--his
own proposition. I waited an hour and a half--then I took the pony to
see after you--and lo!--there he is, sitting quite at his ease. Oh,
Duke--Duke!"

She shook her riding-whip at him twice before she disturbed him from his
book.

"Eh, Missus--what do'ee want, my child?"

"Want? Don't you see what a passion we're all in? Abuse him,
Anne--Agatha--Nathanael! Do! I've no patience with him. Didn't he say
himself that he would take us all to Corfe Castle? Oh, you--you"---- And
Harrie looked unutterable things.

Mr. Dugdale gazed round placidly. "Really, now, that's a pity! Never
mind, Missus! I only forgot." And patting her hand with ineffable
gentleness and good-humour, he opened his book again.

"Oh, you--you"--here she put on a melodramatic scowl--"you inconceivably
provoking, misty, oblivious, incomprehensible old darling!"

And springing upon the back of his chair, Harrie hugged him to a degree
that compelled the unfortunate philosopher to renounce his book. He took
the caresses very patiently, and smiled with superior love upon his
merry wife.

"That'll do, Missus! Eh--and before folk, too! Now don't'ee, my child!"

And shaking himself, hair and all, into something like order, he picked
up the folio, tucked it under his arm, and wended his way through the
window slowly down the lawn.

Agatha glanced at her husband, who stood talking to Miss Valery. She
wondered what Nathanael would say if _she_ were to take a leaf out of
his sister's book, and treat her own liege lord after the unceremonious
fashion of Harrie Dugdale!

"There--off he goes, quite cross, no doubt." (He was smiling as
benevolently as if he could embrace the whole world.) "But we must catch
him at the stables. I brought White-star galloping after me, and Duke
will rouse up when he sees his beloved horse. You shall take my pony,
Agatha. Of course you can ride?"

Agatha could--in a London riding-school and London parks. She had her
doubts about the country, but felt strongly inclined to try; for Mrs.
Dugdale had entered Kingcombe Holm like a breath of keen fresh air,
putting life and spirit into everybody. Nathanael made no opposition,
only he insisted on Mary's quiet grey mare being substituted for
Harrie's skittish pony.

"I shall ride with you part way," said he, "and then leave you in Mr.
Dugdale's charge, while I stay at Kingcombe."

"Why so?"

"I have busine