He broke off. Maryllia, while he spoke, had eyed him somewhat critically, and now favoured him with a charming smile.
"Thank you very much!" she said sweetly; "It was most kind of you! I wonder--" And she paused, knitting her pretty brows in perplexity; "I wonder if you could get rid of everybody for me?"
He glanced up at her in a little wonderment.
"Could you?" she repeated.
He drew nearer.
"Get rid of everybody?--you mean?--"
She leaned confidentially from her saddle.
"Yes--YOU know! Send them all about their business! Clergymen can always do that, can't they? There's really nothing more to be said or done--the trees shall not be touched,--the matter is finished. Tell all these big boys to go away--and--oh, YOU know!"
A twinkle of merriment danced in Walden's eyes. But he turned quite a set and serious face round on the magnetised lads of the village, who hung about, loth to lose a single glance or a single word of the wonderful 'Missis' who had the audacious courage to dismiss Leach.
"Now, boys!" he said peremptorily; "Clear away home and begin your day's work! You're not wanted here any longer. The trees are safe,-- and you can tell everyone what Miss Vancourt says about them. Bainton! You take these fellows home,--Spruce had better go with you. Just call at the doctor's on the way and get his wound attended to. Come now, boys!--sharp's the word!"
A general scrambling movement followed this brief exordium. With shy awkwardness each young fellow lifted his cap as he shambled sheepishly past Maryllia, who acknowledged these salutes smilingly,- -Bainton assisted Spruce to rise to his feet, and then took him off under his personal escort,--and only Leach remained, convulsively gripping his dog-whip which he had picked up from the ground where the lads had thrown it,--and anon striking it against his boot with a movement of impatience and irritation.
"GOOD-morning, Mr. Leach!" said Walden pointedly. But Leach stood still, looking askance at Maryllia.
"Miss Vancourt," he said, hoarsely; "Am I to understand that you meant what you said just now?"
She glanced at him coldly.
"That I dismiss you from my service? Of course I meant it! Of course I mean it!"
"I am bound to have fair notice," he muttered. "I cannot collect all my accounts in a moment--"
"Whatever else you may do, you will leave this place at, once;" said Maryllia, firmly,--"I will communicate my decision to the solicitors and they will settle with you. No more words, please!"