"I'll compromise. I'll come as far as your punt."

"Spoken like a good little Mavis."

They followed the course of the river. The stream's windings were so
vigorous that, when they had walked for some way, they had made
small progress in the direction in which Perigal was going.

Mavis was strangely happy. With the exception of her brief
acquaintance with Windebank, she had never before enjoyed the
society of a man, who was a gentleman, on equal terms. And Windebank
was coming home unharmed from the operations in which he had won
distinction; she had read of his brave doings from time to time in
the papers: she rejoiced to learn that he had not forgotten her.

"Thinking of Windebank?" asked Perigal, noticing her silence.

"Yes."

"Lucky chap! But he's an awfully good sort, straight-forward and all
that."

Mavis again assented.

"A bit obvious, though."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Eh! Oh, well, you always know what his opinions are going to be on
any given subject."