He was tall too, and well proportioned, and looked the pick of physical fitness.

'Just the kind of splendid stuff we are sending out by the ship-load,' thought the elder man, with a pang of envy--'And the girl's lovely!' She was at that moment bowing to him, as she followed her husband across the road.

A thought occurred to Sir William, and he pursued her.
'I wonder--' he said diffidently--'if you care for boating--if you would like to boat on the lake--' 'Oh, but it isn't allowed!' She turned on him a pair of astonished eyes.
'Not in general.

Ah, I see you know these parts already.

But I happen to know the owner of the boathouse.