That sounds far-fetched; but it isn't so when you think of it.'

'Well, but Lawrence is a good rider; it is not likely he would fall from
his horse at all; and if he did, it is highly improbable he would break
his bones in that way. It must be a gross exaggeration at least.'

'No; but the horse kicked him--or something.'

'What, his quiet little pony?'

'How do you know it was that?'

'He seldom rides any other.'

'At any rate,' said my mother, 'you will call to-morrow. Whether it be
true or false, exaggerated or otherwise, we shall like to know how he
is.'

'Fergus may go.'

'Why not you?'

'He has more time. I am busy just now.'

'Oh! but, Gilbert, how can you be so composed about it? You won't mind
business for an hour or two in a case of this sort, when your friend is
at the point of death.'

'He is not, I tell you.'

'For anything you know, he may be: you can't tell till you have seen him.
At all events, he must have met with some terrible accident, and you
ought to see him: he'll take it very unkind if you don't.'

'Confound it! I can't. He and I have not been on good terms of late.'

'Oh, my dear boy! Surely, surely you are not so unforgiving as to carry
your little differences to such a length as--'

'Little differences, indeed!' I muttered.

'Well, but only remember the occasion. Think how--'

'Well, well, don't bother me now--I'll see about it,' I replied.

And my seeing about it was to send Fergus next morning, with my mother's
compliments, to make the requisite inquiries; for, of course, my going
was out of the question--or sending a message either. He brought back
intelligence that the young squire was laid up with the complicated evils
of a broken head and certain contusions (occasioned by a fall--of which
he did not trouble himself to relate the particulars--and the subsequent
misconduct of his horse), and a severe cold, the consequence of lying on
the wet ground in the rain; but there were no broken bones, and no
immediate prospects of dissolution.

It was evident, then, that for Mrs. Graham's sake it was not his
intention to criminate me.

CHAPTER XV

That day was rainy like its predecessor; but towards evening it began to
clear up a little, and the next morning was fair and promising. I was
out on the hill with the reapers. A light wind swept over the corn, and
all nature laughed in the sunshine. The lark was rejoicing among the
silvery floating clouds.