"Stay a minute more, Roger, and let me stroke that creature's shining coat," said the lady; and as if conscious of her admiration, the fine animal arched his beautiful neck, and proudly pawed the ground, as she leaned over the balustrade and patted and stroked him deliberately.
"Well, Dolly, have you done admiring us?" said the Squire, laughing. "Now, Miss Evelyn, my whip; why, you seem in league to detain us this morning. You should both have been mounted, and then you would understand how rider and steed pant to be off."
"But you know I don't think a hunting party just the right sport for Squire Hazelwood's wife and daughter," she replied. "And, Roger, I can't help remembering just now poor Mr. Dashaway's saddle girth. I hope yours is properly buckled."
"Poor gentleman, that was a clumsy affair; but pray, what do you take me for, Mistress Hazelwood?"
"For a right gentle Squire, yielding a moment from horse and hound to please the whim of his ladye love," she playfully replied. "And now, a pleasant ride to you, and a safe cover to Master Reynard."
THE PLOT.
The Squire laughed, and rode off, all unconscious of the little plot that had just been working round him.
Between the Park and the open country flowed the river, which was supposed either to have supplied, or formed, the moat of the old castle, and which was crossed by means of a small boat attached by a chain to both banks in the Park, and by a stone bridge near the village. It was not very wide, but at the part where it wound through the Falcon Range grounds, it was deep, with steep banks, and not by any means a tempting spot for a bath.
The time was about two hours after noon, and Guy Falconer was on the Park side of the river busy at his work; while Maude held an umbrella so as to screen it from the light breeze which sent the stray leaves of autumn flying about; and Evelyn, with a little basket of fruit in her hand, had sat down at their feet to rest.