be able to carry her little
mistress's light weight safely home, at a walking pace, over the few
miles that separated them from Drayton. Joyce could not return alone,
and Edward would not desert his sister, though he could not repress a
few gloomy remarks on the homeward way.

'To lose such a splendid dry day at this season! Once the weather
breaks and the floods are out, there will be no leaving the Manor
House again for weeks, save by the causeway over the fens!'

Thus it was a rather melancholy trio that returned slowly by the same
road over which the ponies' feet had scampered gaily an hour or two
before.

When the chimneys of Drayton were coming in sight, a loud 'Halloo'
made the riders look round. A second fox must have led the hunt back
in their direction after all. Sure enough, a speck of ruddy brown was
to be seen slinking along beneath a haystack in the distance. Already
the hounds were scrambling across the road after him, while, except
for the huntsman, not a solitary rider was as yet to be seen anywhere.

The temptation was too strong for Edward. The brush might still be
his, if he were quick.

'We are close at home. You will come to no harm now, sister,' he
called. Then, raising his whip, he was off at a gallop, beckoning
peremptorily to the groom to follow him. Not without a shade of
remorse for deserting his little mistress, the man-servant obediently
gave Snowball's bridle to Joyce, and set spurs to his horse. Then, as
he galloped away, he salved his conscience with the reflection that
'after all, young Master's neck is in more danger than young Missie's,
now home is in sight.'

Joyce, left alone, dismounted, in order to lead Snowball herself on
the uneven road across the fens. It was difficult to do this
satisfactorily, owing to the pony's lameness, and her long, clinging
skirt, over which she was perpetually tripping. Therefore, looking
down over the hedgeless country for someone to help her, it was with
real relief that she caught sight of a tall youth close at hand, in a
pasture where sheep and cattle were grazing. All her life Joyce was
accustomed to treat the people she met with the airs of a queen.
Therefore, 'Hey! boy,' she called imperiously, 'come and help me!
quick!'

She had to call more than once before the youth looked up, and when he
did, at first he made no motion in response. Then, seeing that the
pony really was limping badly, and that the little lady was obviously
in diffic