Indeed, these brilliant
dashes and runs and summersaults soon began to tell The gallant little
grilse was plainly getting the worst of it. He allowed himself to be
led; but, whenever she stepped back on the bank and tried to induce him
to come in, at the first appearance of shallow water he would instantly
sheer off again with all the strength that was left in him. Fortunately
he seemed inclined to head up-stream; and she humored him in that, for
there the water was deeper under the bank. Even then he fought
splendidly to the last. As soon as he got to recognize that an enemy was
waiting for him--an enemy armed with some white, shining thing that he
more than once warily slipped out of--he would make struggle after
struggle to keep away--until at last there was a sudden, swift, decisive
stroke of the steel clip, and Robert had his glittering prize safely
ashore.

"What o'clock is it, Mr. Moore?" said Miss Honnor--but she seemed
pleased with the result of this brisk encounter.

He looked at his watch.

"Half-past seven," he said.

"Yes; I thought I heard the first bell; we must make haste home. Not but
that my sisters are very good to me," she continued, as she took the fly
that Robert handed her and stuck it in her Tam o' Shanter; "if I happen
to have got hold of a fish, I am allowed to come in to dinner anyhow.
And then, you know, there is no great ceremony at this bungalow of a
place; it's different at the Braes, if Lady Adela happens to have a
large house-party--then I have to behave like other folk. What do you
say, Robert--seven pounds? Well, he made a good fight of it. And I'm
glad not to be going home empty-handed."

So Lionel picked up her waterproof and put it over his arm; she
shouldered her fishing-rod, after having reeled in the line; the
handsome old gillie brought up the rear with the gaff and the slung
grilse; and thus equipped the three of them set out for the
lodge--across the wide valley that was now all russet and golden under
the warm light still lingering in the evening skies.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE TWELFTH.

When Lionel went down early next morning, he found Lady Adela's father
in sole possession; and was not long in discovering that the old earl
was in a towering rage.

"Good-morning!" said this tall, pale, stooping-shouldered old gentleman,
whose quite hairless face was surmounted by a brown wig. "Well, what do
you think of last night's performance? What do you think of it? Did