'You are very kind,' Milly answered, taking off her dripping shawl.
'I did not know that the Priory was occupied except by the old
servants. I fear you must have thought me very impertinent just now
when I talked so coolly of taking shelter here.'

'I am only too glad that you should find refuge in the old place.'

He wheeled a couple of ponderous carved-oak chairs close to the
hearth, and begged us to sit there; but Milly preferred standing in
the noble old gothic window looking out at the rain.

'They will be getting anxious about us at home,' she said, 'if we
are not back before dark.'

'I wish I possessed a close carriage to place at your service. I do,
indeed, boast of the ownership of a dog-cart, if you would not be
afraid of driving in such a barbarous vehicle when the rain is over.
It would keep you out of the mud, at any rate.'

Milly laughed gaily.

'I have been brought up in the country,' she said, 'and am not at
all afraid of driving in a dog-cart. I used often to go out with
papa in his, before he married.'

'Then, when the storm is over, I shall have the pleasure of driving
you to Thornleigh, if you will permit me that honour.'

Milly looked a little perplexed at this, and made some excuse about