“I dare say there is not a man among my father’s friends or mine, who could have done that, Master Hampdon,� said she, smiling up at me a little and looking flushed and excited.
“’Tis no great feat,� said I stupidly enough, “I have lifted bigger—�
“Women!� flashed out Mistress Lucy slightly frowning.
“Things,� I replied.
“It amazes me,� she said. “I have never been dismounted that way before. However, I remember you always were stronger than most men, even as a boy. There seem to be no grooms about, the place is wretchedly served. Will you take my horse to the stables?� she asked me.
There was a certain flattery to me in that request. If I had not shown her how strong I was, in all probability she would have thrown me the bridle and with a nod toward the stables to indicate her wishes would have left me without a word. Now it was different. I took the bridle, not intending, however, to take the horse around, not because I disdained to do her any service but because I had other duties to discharge more important than the care of horses.
“Have you seen my father this morning?� she asked as I paused before her and then, not giving me time to answer, looked up at the sun. “But of course not,� she continued, a little bitterly, “he probably only went to bed an hour or two since and ’tis not his habit to rise so early as you and I.�
As luck would have it, while she spoke a sleepy groom chanced to come round the house. I flung the reins to him, bade him take the horse away and turned to my lady.
“Madam,� said I, my voice thickening and choking, “as it happens, I have seen your noble father this morning.�
There was something in my voice and manner, great stupid fool that I was, that instantly apprised her that something was wrong. With one swift step she was by my side.