But the gentleman who was driving lifted his hat to the dowdy lady, with a gesture of marked politeness, and a young and elegantly-dressed lady, his sister, nodded and smiled, and waved her hand to her.

After the coach had rolled some fifty yards away, the farmer pulled into the road, and went on through the cloud of dust it had left behind it, with a complacent smile upon his hard and weather-worn features.

'A' be a nice young gentleman, the Honourable be,' said he presently.

'So be Lady Blanche,' replied his wife, lifting her veil and looking back after the four-in-hand.

'I'm sure her smile's that sweet it be a pleasure for to see her.' Half a mile farther the farmer drew out of the road again, drove close to the hedge, stopped, and stood up to look over.