'Do you mean to ride to-day,' he said to Madeline, as they were approaching the bottom of the Grange avenue. For the last half-mile he had been thinking what he would say to her, and thinking in vain; and now, at the last moment, he could summon no words to his assistance more potent for his purpose than these.
'If you mean by riding, Mr. Orme, going across the fields with you and the Miss Tristrams, certainly not. I should come to grief, as you call it, at the first ditch.'
'And that is just what I shall do,' said Felix Graham, who was at her other side.
'Then, if you take my advice, you'll remain with us in the wood, and act as squire of dames. What on earth would Marian do if aught but good was to befall you?'
'Dear Marian! She gave me a special commission to bring her the fox's tail. Foxes' tails are just like ladies.'
'Thank you, Mr. Graham. I've heard you make some pretty compliments, and that is about the prettiest.'
'A faint heart will never win either the one or the other, Miss Staveley.'
'Oh, ah, yes. That will do very well. Under these circumstances I will accept the comparison.'
All of which very innocent conversation was overheard by Peregrine Orme, riding on the other side of Miss Staveley's horse. And why not? Neither Graham nor Miss Staveley had any objection. But how was it that he could not join in and take his share in it? He had made one little attempt at conversation, and that having failed he remained perfectly silent till they reached the large circle at the head of the avenue. 'It's no use, this sort of thing,' he said to himself. 'I must do it at a blow, if I do it at all;' and then he rode away to the master of the hounds.
As our party arrived at the open space the Miss Tristrams were stepping out of their carriage, and they came up to shake hands with Miss Staveley.
'I am so glad to see you,' said the eldest; 'it is so nice to have some ladies out besides ourselves.'
'Do keep up with us,' said the second. 'It's a very open country about here, and anybody can ride it.' And then Miss Furnival was introduced to them. 'Does your horse jump, Miss Furnival?'
'I really do not know,' said Sophia; 'but I sincerely trust that if he does, he will refrain to-day.'
'Don't say so,' said the eldest sportswoman. 'If you'll only begin it will come as easy to you as going along the road;' and then, not being able to spare more of these idle moments, they both went off to their horses, walking as though their habits were no impediments to them, and in half a minute they were seated.
