She was a creature of moods and tenses, and would probably have gone on carolling blissfully for another hour if the vicar had not interrupted them.
"It is getting late, Carlyon, and we may as well walk back together," he remarked in his leisurely manner, for being an old bachelor he was rather precise in his ways.

David jumped up at once.
"I will go with you, sir, of course," he replied quickly.

Then in a lower voice, "It is a lovely evening--will you do your lady's mile ?" He spoke so low that Malcolm could only guess at what he said; but Elizabeth's answer was quite clear and audible.
"No, not to-night; I think I have exerted myself sufficiently.

But I daresay Mr.Herrick and Cedric will go." And Malcolm, who felt himself dismissed and had no excuse to offer, was soon plunged into an argument again that lasted all the way to Rotherwood.
"Betty, did you notice that Mr.Herrick did not want to go ?" asked Dinah, who was always keenly alive to the likes and dislikes of her neighbours.

"It was naughty of you to put him in such a position.