reproach me now."

"Very pretty, indeed, Sir Everard. But don't waste your time paying
compliments this morning. Thanks, Mr. Grosvenor; that will do. For
whom are you looking, Sir Everard? Lady Carteret? Oh, she is going to
see as much of the fun as she can from the carriage, with some other
ladies. Miss Hunsden and myself are the only ones who intend to ride.
By the way, I hope Sir Galahad will uphold his master's reputation
to-day. He must do his very best, or Whirlwind will beat him."

At that instant a red-coated young gentleman joined them, in an evident
state of excitement.

"I say, Kingsland, who's that girl on the splendid roan? She sits
superbly, and is stunningly handsome besides. I beg your pardon, Lady
Louise--perhaps you know."

"Lord Ernest Strathmore is excited on the subject. That young lady is
Miss Harriet Hunsden. Don't lose your head, my lord. One gentleman
possesses that heart, and all the rest of you may sigh in vain."

"Indeed! And who is the fortunate possessor?"

"Captain Hunsden, her father."

At the first mention of her name Sir Everard Kingsland had turned
sharply around and beheld--his fate. But he did not know it. He only
saw a handsome, spirited-looking girl, sitting a magnificent roan horse
as easily as if it had been an arm-chair, and talking animatedly to a
stalwart soldierly man with white hair and mustache.