"That will suit me admirably," said the earl. "If you are at leisure, we will take a long drive."
"I shall have nothing to do till I receive my letter," answered Scott.
"Then you can join me?"
"I shall be glad to do so."
It turned out that the earl wished to ride across the country to a point some twenty miles distant. What the attraction was it is not necessary here to state. Probably the trip was undertaken chiefly for the drive.
At the end of twenty miles a village was reached, which contained a passable hotel. Here the two tourists dined, and did not leave on their return till about six o'clock.
"We shall be rather late," said the earl. "Still, our horse is a good one, and we ought to reach the hotel in two hours, or little more."
"That won't be very late."
"Then we can stop on the way somewhere."
When the travelers had proceeded half a dozen miles on their way, the horse suddenly showed signs of lameness. What had occasioned it neither could tell, but as he appeared to be in pain, it was decided, upon consultation, to stop at the next house and make arrangements to pass the night. It would be easy to start again on the following morning with the horse they had, or, if necessary, a substitute. Neither felt in haste, and the time lost would not be serious.