"You are not well, perhaps not able to walk?" he said inquiringly, and in tenderly solicitous accents.
"It is pleasant to be out in the air, papa," she answered; "but it tires me a good deal more than usual."
"We will not go far, then," he said; "and, if your strength gives out before we get back to the house, I will carry you."
They were in the road now, some distance beyond the avenue-gates; and at this moment a number of horsemen came in sight, approaching from the direction opposite to that they were taking.
Perceiving them, Lulu uttered a sharp cry of terror, and shrank behind her father, though still clinging to his hand.
"What is it, daughter?" he asked in surprise: "what do you fear?"
"O papa, papa!" she sobbed, "are they coming to take me and put me in prison? Oh, don't let them have me!"
"Don't be frightened," he said soothingly. "Don't you see it is only some men who have been out hunting, and are going home with their game?"
"Oh! is that all?" she gasped, the color coming back to her face, which had grown deadly pale. "I thought it was the sheriff coming to put me in jail for hurting the baby. Will they do it, papa? Oh! you won't let them, will you?" she cried entreatingly.
"I could not protect you from the law," he said, in a moved tone; "but I think there is no danger that it will interfere. You did not hurt your sister intentionally, and she is still living. You are very young too; and, doubtless, everybody will think your punishment should be left to me, your father."