saw that a horseman had halted at the gate, and was gazing at their
sports. It was from the distance of a field, but this was enough to
fill Harriet with dismay. She drew herself up in a moment, signing
peremptorily to Aurelia, who was flying about, her hat off, her one
long curl streaming behind as she darted hither and thither, evading
Eugene who was pursuing her.

As she paused, and Eugene clutched her dress with a shout of ecstasy,
Harriet came up, glancing severely toward the gate, and saying, as
she handed her sister the hat, "This comes of childishness! That we
should be seen thus! What a hoyden he will think you!" as the hoofs
went on and the red coat vanished.

"He! Who? Not the farmer?" said Aurelia. "This is not laid up for
hay."

"No indeed. I believe it is he," said Harriet, mysteriously.

"He?" repeated Aurelia. "Not Mr. Arden, for he would be in black,"
and at Harriet's disgusted gesture, "I beg your pardon, but I did
not know you had a new _he_. Oh! surely you are not thinking of
the young baronet?"

"I am sure it was his figure."

"You did not see him yesterday?"

"No, but his air had too much distinction for any one from these parts."

"Could you see what his air was from this distance? I should never