"You're quite right," said she carelessly. "Ah, here is Major Winton. I assure you, Lady Mitford, the Major is the most perfect escort; full of talk and fun, he never suffers you to be dull for an instant. And there's the break arrived, and that energetic Captain Bligh managing everything as usual. What very large hampers! And I declare there's Sir Charles arrived before any of us, and superintending the laying of the cloth in that romantic-looking old tower."
Lady Mitford caught sight of her husband at the same time, and hurried off to him. She was full of penitence, and wanted to set herself right with him at once.
"Ah, and there's Lady Mitford off at the mere sound of his name. Look at that, Colonel Alsager, and--will you have the kindness to help me to dismount, Colonel Alsager?--No, thank you, Major, I won't trouble you; the Colonel is already on the ground. There, Laurence Alsager," she whispered, as she sprang from the saddle, "that is what I pine for,--domestic love;" and she heaved a little sigh, and tapped the ground with the delicate little riding-boot, which the lifting of her habit had exposed.
For an instant Laurence was taken off his guard, and said bitterly, "When you might have had it, you spurned it;" then recovering himself, he added, "However, we have had that out once, and--"
"And here is Major Winton," said Mrs. Hammond in her airiest manner. "Luncheon already, eh? then you shall give me your arm, Major, for this turf-hill is awkward to climb, especially in a habit."
Meanwhile Georgie had hurried away to where her husband was standing watching the laying of the cloth in the one room of the keep, by the old châtelâine and her granddaughter. Georgie made her way up to him, and with the tears rising in her eyes, said, "Oh, Charley, I'm so glad I have found you; I wanted to speak to you."
"Did you, little woman?" said he, looking down at her in great astonishment; "what about? Nothing left behind, is there?"
"No; that is--at least--I don't know; it was not about that I wanted to speak."
"What was it, then? Nothing the matter with the ponies?--not another accident, eh?"
"No, O no; I only wanted to say that I hoped you would not be annoyed at--at anything I did when we started from home to-day--about the way in which the party was divided, I mean."