"Uncle Evas, you look as if you wanted your lunch. Wasn't it splendatious? Colon just flies!"
"Don't stop your Pegasus for me, Toney."
"But I want to. How far is it to the Towers, Mr. Lang? and then we have to get home."
"I quite agree; besides the fox has got into Red Hollow and will escape. They always do in Red Hollow." Toney smiled.
"He deserves it. But it does make one happy, doesn't it?"
The three trotted back to the Towers, Edward Lang was rather silent, wondering how he should propose. He heartily wished Toney were as easily approached as Miss Symons, who was always lifting her sad sweet eyes to his.
The breakfast was a joy to the hungry, and Lady Southbourne all amiability to Toney and Sir Evas. He had nothing to mar his enjoyment, and even managed not to think of Melina at home.
All luncheon time Edward could think of nothing more original than discussing the hunt, but as so many of the male guests would chat with Toney and all were enthusiastic over her riding, he only succeeded in carrying her off to the conservatory when the horses were at the door. It does not help matters if you feel there must be no delay over your proposal.
"You just eclipsed all the girls on the hunting field, Miss Whitburn," he began, as he picked some lovely flowers at random. "I do hope you'll come again soon. Why haven't we seen you oftener—I—I——"
Hunting and love don't dovetail easily, and Toney was sniffing hard at some flowers quite unconscious of what was coming.