"Good God!" said L'Estrange, as he threw himself across the horse, "what made me delay?"
Just as he was about to gallop off a horse and horseman broke from behind the hedge, at the near end of the walk.
"Not off yet?" said the Captain.
"I am just going to start," said L'Estrange, in a husky voice.
"What the deuce frightens you? There is nothing to be afraid of. Only take the back way, and see you don't fall in with Lennox, that meddling old coxcomb. Adieu! Off you go!"
"Au diable!" thought the other, as he galloped away.
The Captain spoke a few words to Archy, and then trotted to the Towers, where he found the riding party assembled, and Johnny showing off on a spirited little pony, which he had learned to manage with some address.
"Capital, young 'un!" shouted the Captain, as he cleared the park fence. "There is the making of a good horseman in you—plenty of pluck. We must get you into the 7th."
"Are you coming with us, Cap?" said Johnny, elated at the compliment.
Vouchsafing no reply, the Captain rode on with the party till he reached the Edinburgh road, where, taking off his hat to the ladies, he put spurs to his horse and rode to Edinburgh, where he probably met the Marquis and his brother at the favourite pump of the Irish lord, as the three rode back together.