A brisk and practical little lady rather, her feet pattering most purposefully along the flagged passages and skipping faster than even Sholto could follow her.

But at the top of the second stairs he was overquick for her.

By taking the narrow edges of the steps he reached the landing level with his mistress.
His desire was to put out his hand to circle her lithe waist, for nothing is so certainly reproductive of its own species as a first kiss.

But he had reckoned without the lady's mutual intent and favour, which in matters of this kind are proverbially important.

Mistress Maud eluded him, without appearing to do so, and stood farther off, safely poised for flight, looking down at him with cold, reproachful eyes.
"Maud Lindesay, have you forgotten last night and the lamp ?" he asked indignantly.
"What may you mean, Captain Sholto ?" she said, with wonderment in her tone, "Margaret and I never use lamps.