And, indeed, Squire John's affection must have been something altogether out of the way to make him renounce his favourite pastime in the joyful anticipation of which he had been living for months beforehand, simply to please his wife. Fanny, deeply touched, held out her hands towards him.
"You are not angry with me, I hope," said she; "but I feel so frightened on your account."
John Kárpáthy pressed the extended hand to his lips, and, holding it in his palm some little time, asked—
"And ought I not to be afraid on your account also?"
Fanny involuntarily glanced at her friend, as if to ask whether she also ought not to remain here.
Kárpáthy guessed the meaning of the look.
"No, no; I don't want you to remain here. Go and enjoy yourself! But take care of yourself. And you young fellows there, watch over my wife as if she were the light of your eyes."
"Oh, we'll look after her!" replied Mike Kis, twirling his moustache.
"And I, also, will look after her," cried Lady Szentirmay, with a strong emphasis on the word I; for she had observed that Kárpáthy's good-natured appeal had somewhat confused his wife.
And now the horns began to sound and the whips to crack, and both dogs and horses grew unruly and impatient. The company divided into three parts, forming a centre and rings like an army, and advanced into the bushy plain, sending the dogs on in front. The ladies waved their handkerchiefs, the gentlemen their caps, to the friends they had left behind on the tower who responded in like manner, whereupon the galloping groups