I did not speak, and then, with a short laugh, Miss Rayner seemed to recover herself. 'What am I saying? Perhaps some day I may tell you a chapter in my life, child—but not now. You have not had to go through such a sharp ordeal as I have. I am afraid there is nothing for it but a curate for you. Holding your present views, you would find no pleasure in a man of the world.'
'Surely every one is not bound to have a husband?' I said, half laughing, half vexed with her light, mocking tone.
'I should say you were sure to have one,' she retorted; 'perhaps your views will melt away when you come across some one that you really fancy.'
I shook my head, but dropped the subject, wondering, with a girlish curiosity, what Miss Rayner's life story was.
CHAPTER X
LONG AGO
'Ah! changeless through the changing vein
The ghostly whisper rings between
The dark refrain of "might have been."'
Circumstances helped to bring about the recital of that story sooner than I had expected. About ten days later, I started out one afternoon with Miss Rayner for a ride. I was not on the chestnut mare this time, but on Rawdon, Miss Rayner's special favourite, and the one she always rode herself. It was a mark of great favour her allowing me to try him.
It was a pleasant day for a ride, and when we got up on a bit of the moor it delighted me. Suddenly, without any warning, a pack of hounds dashed by, followed closely by the huntsmen. 'Pull your horse in, child!' Miss Rayner exclaimed excitedly; 'he is an old hunter.'