“Yes, do come!” said Miss Dove, pleadingly.
“There, Harry, if you can resist that!” exclaimed his friend Link.
“Yes; I suppose there is no help for it, and we must face it, and then get away as soon as we possibly can. Gently down,” said the aeronaut to Trigger, “and mind you spring out when I tell you, and warn Lucy to hold aloof and not to betray us.”
“She won’t do that, sir,” said Tom.
“Gently down, Bennet,” sang out the balloon pilot, in compliance with his master’s wish that he should act up to his new title.
“Don’t be alarmed, Harry. I will make it all right with your uncle,” whispered Captain Link, who looked as if he were pleased at the turn things had taken.
A round of cheering greeted the voyagers, as the car dropped into the arms of the Wedwell parkites. The squire took off his hat to Miss Chain, and Edith Dove blushingly said some pleasant words of greeting to Harry Goodall, who was pointed out by the captain as the proprietor of the balloon, to whom the chief honours were due.
Trigger was allowed to get out of the car, while the sturdy gamekeeper was asked to take his place. The aeronaut’s eyes were fixed for some seconds on Miss Dove—but what his thoughts were neither Captain Link nor Miss Chain could divine.
“If you will only get out,” said the squire, “I will guarantee that the gamekeeper and his men will take charge of your balloon, whilst you all get some refreshment. We are just going to dinner. Hand me that chair for the lady to dismount, and do allow me,” said the squire, “to assist you.”
“If one of your men will get in as each of us gets out,” cried the aeronaut, “to make up the weight—that will do. But the pilot is coming back; he will tell you how to manage.”