"Good afternoon!" she said, as they sprang forward to meet her.—"No; we will dispense with anything but a bow." They all tried to hand her in, but she waved them aside. "I cannot choose, so I will let the footman do his office."
The young men leaped to horse. There were but two windows to the coach and three men, and Mr. Paca and Mr. Worthington got the places beside them, leaving Captain Herford to ride behind, and sulk.
"You are a dream, a perfect vision!" said Mr. Paca.
"An angel, rather!" Mr. Worthington assured her.
"Why not be sensible, and tell the truth. Why not say, I am looking very well, to-day; that would be the truth, more than that is rank exaggeration. One of you let Captain Herford come up; I want to hear what he will say.... Do you hear? I said, one of you give place to Captain Herford."
"Paca, you hear?" said Worthington.
"Worthington, you hear?" said Paca.
Miss Stirling laughed. "Meanwhile, Captain Herford rides behind."
"And is likely to ride behind to the race ground," said Worthington.