ask the loan of the boat. The tide would not, however, serve; and as
waiting till it would was not to be endured, the two cousins set off
to walk together through the woods, Louis beguiling the way by
chaffing James, as far as he would bear, with the idea of Isabel's
name being trifled with by the profane crowd.

He left James at the gate of the park, prowling about like a panther
to try for a glimpse of Isabel's window, and feeding his despair and
jealousy that Louis should boldly walk up to the door, while he, with
so much better a right, was excluded by his unguarded promise to Lady
Conway.

All the tumultuary emotions of his mind were endlessly repeated, and
many a slow and pealing note of the church-clock had added fuel to
his impatience, and spurred him to rush up to the door and claim his
rights, before Louis came bounding past the lodge-gates, flourishing
his cap, and crying, 'Hurrah, Jem! All right!'

'I'm going to her at once!' cried Jem, beginning to rush off; but
Louis caught and imprisoned his arm.

'Not so fast, sir! You are to see her. I promise you shall see her
if you wish it, but it must be in my aunt's way.'

'Let me go, I say!'

'When I have walked five miles in your service, you won't afford me
an arm to help me back. I am not a horse with wings, and I won't be
Cupid's post except on my own terms. Come back.'