riotous feastings, and coquetted with these mature, and in some cases
elderly, men, as if she looked forward to doing naught else all her life.

But one day, after she had gone out hunting with her father, riding Rake,
who had been given to her, and wearing her scarlet coat, breeches, and
top-boots, one of the few remaining members of her mother's family sent
his chaplain to remonstrate and advise her father to command her to
forbear from appearing in such impudent attire.

There was, indeed, a stirring scene when this message was delivered by
its bearer. The chaplain was an awkward, timid creature, who had heard
stories enough of Wildairs Hall and its master to undertake his mission
with a quaking soul. To have refused to obey any behest of his patron
would have cost him his living, and knowing this beyond a doubt, he was
forced to gird up his loins and gather together all the little courage he
could muster to beard the lion in his den.

The first thing he beheld on entering the big hall was a beautiful tall
youth wearing his own rich black hair, and dressed in scarlet coat for
hunting. He was playing with a dog, making it leap over his crop, and
both laughing and swearing at its clumsiness. He glanced at the chaplain
with a laughing, brilliant eye, returning the poor man's humble bow with
a slight nod as he plainly hearkened to what he said as he explained his
errand.

"I come from my Lord Twemlow, who is your master's kinsman," the chaplain
faltered; "I am bidden to see and speak to him if it be possible, and his
lordship much desires that Sir Jeoffry will allow it to be so. My Lord
Twemlow--"