He rose, took Kelpie out, and had a good gallop. On his way back he saw in the distance Florimel riding with Liftore. The earl was on his father’s bay mare. He could not endure the sight, and dashed home at full speed.
Learning from Rose that Lady Clementina was in the flower-garden, he found her at the swan-basin, feeding the gold and silver fishes. An under-gardener who had been about the place for thirty years, was at work not far off. The light splash of the falling column which the marble swan spouted from its upturned beak, prevented her from hearing his approach until he was close behind her. She turned, and her fair face took the flush of a white rose.
“My lady,” he said, “I have got everything arranged for to-night.”
“And when shall we go?” she asked eagerly.
“At the turn of the tide, about half-past seven. But seven is your dinner hour.”
“It is of no consequence.—But could you not make it half an hour later, and then I should not seem rude?”
“Make it any hour you please, my lady, so long as the tide is falling.”
“Let it be eight then, and dinner will be almost over. They will not miss me after that. Mr Cairns is going to dine with them. I think, except Liftore, I never disliked a man so much. Shall I tell them where I am going?”
“Yes, my lady. It will be better.—They will look amazed—for all their breeding!”
“Whose boat is it, that I may be able to tell them if they should ask me?”