第7章

Margery always declared that there seemed to be some power in the stranger that was more than human, something magical and compulsory, when he seized her and gently trotted her round.But lingering emotions may have led her memory to play pranks with the scene, and her vivid imagination at that youthful age must be taken into account in believing her.However, there is no doubt that the stranger, whoever he might be, and whatever his powers, taught her the elements of modern dancing at a certain interview by moonlight at the top of her father's garden, as was proved by her possession of knowledge on the subject that could have been acquired in no other way.

His was of the first rank of commanding figures, she was one of the most agile of milkmaids, and to casual view it would have seemed all of a piece with Nature's doings that things should go on thus.But there was another side to the case; and whether the strange gentleman were a wild olive tree, or not, it was questionable if the acquaintance would lead to happiness.'A fleeting romance and a possible calamity;' thus it might have been summed up by the practical.

Margery was in Paradise; and yet she was not at this date distinctly in love with the stranger.What she felt was something more mysterious, more of the nature of veneration.As he looked at her across the stile she spoke timidly, on a subject which had apparently occupied her long.

'I ought to have a ball-dress, ought I not, sir?'

'Certainly.And you shall have a ball-dress.'

'Really?'

'No doubt of it.I won't do things by halves for my best friend.Ihave thought of the ball-dress, and of other things also.'

'And is my dancing good enough?'

'Quite--quite.' He paused, lapsed into thought, and looked at her.

'Margery,' he said, 'do you trust yourself unreservedly to me?'

'O yes, sir,' she replied brightly; 'if I am not too much trouble:

if I am good enough to be seen in your society.'

The Baron laughed in a peculiar way.'Really, I think you may assume as much as that.--However, to business.The ball is on the twenty-fifth, that is next Thursday week; and the only difficulty about the dress is the size.Suppose you lend me this?' And he touched her on the shoulder to signify a tight little jacket she wore.

Margery was all obedience.She took it off and handed it to him.

The Baron rolled and compressed it with all his force till it was about as large as an apple-dumpling, and put it into his pocket.

'The next thing,' he said, 'is about getting the consent of your friends to your going.Have you thought of this?'

'There is only my father.I can tell him I am invited to a party, and I don't think he'll mind.Though I would rather not tell him.'

'But it strikes me that you must inform him something of what you intend.I would strongly advise you to do so.' He spoke as if rather perplexed as to the probable custom of the English peasantry in such matters, and added, 'However, it is for you to decide.Iknow nothing of the circumstances.As to getting to the ball, the plan I have arranged is this.The direction to Lord Toneborough's being the other way from my house, you must meet me at Three-Walks-End--in Chillington Wood, two miles or more from here.You know the place? Good.By meeting there we shall save five or six miles of journey--a consideration, as it is a long way.Now, for the last time: are you still firm in your wish for this particular treat and no other? It is not too late to give it up.Cannot you think of something else--something better--some useful household articles you require?'

Margery's countenance, which before had been beaming with expectation, lost its brightness: her lips became close, and her voice broken.'You have offered to take me, and now--'

'No, no, no,' he said, patting her cheek.'We will not think of anything else.You shall go.'