"As often as I may, Miss Hermione."

Hereupon the shapely foot halted altogether, and once again she turned
to look at him in wide-eyed surprise.

"You know my name?"

"I learned it from Arthur, and--I shall never forget it!"

"Why not?"

"Well, because it is rather uncommon and--very beautiful!"

"Oh!" said Hermione, and went on up the stair again, yet not before he
had seen the flush was back in her cheek.

"Are you getting tired yet?" she enquired, without looking round.

"Not appreciably," he answered, "but if you think I need a rest--"

"No, no!" she laughed, "we should never get off these frightful stairs!"

"Even that might have its compensations!" he murmured.

"And we've been much longer than if you'd let me carry it up myself."

"But then we've no cause for panting haste, have we?" he suggested.

"And we have four more flights to climb."