elf are the only ones who intend to ride.
By the way, I hope Sir Galahad will uphold his master's reputation
to-day. He must do his very best, or Whirlwind will beat him."

At that instant a red-coated young gentleman joined them, in an evident
state of excitement.

"I say, Kingsland, who's that girl on the splendid roan? She sits
superbly, and is stunningly handsome besides. I beg your pardon, Lady
Louise--perhaps you know."

"Lord Ernest Strathmore is excited on the subject. That young lady is
Miss Harriet Hunsden. Don't lose your head, my lord. One gentleman
possesses that heart, and all the rest of you may sigh in vain."

"Indeed! And who is the fortunate possessor?"

"Captain Hunsden, her father."

At the first mention of her name Sir Everard Kingsland had turned
sharply around and beheld--his fate. But he did not know it. He only
saw a handsome, spirited-looking girl, sitting a magnificent roan horse
as easily as if it had been an arm-chair, and talking animatedly to a
stalwart soldierly man with white hair and mustache.

As he glanced away from his prolonged stare he met the piercing gaze of
Lady Louise's turquoise-blue eyes.

"_Et tu, Brute_?" she cried gayly. "Oh, my prophetic soul! Did I not
warn you, Sir Everard? Did I not foretell that the dashing damsel in
the scarlet habit would play the mischief with your fox-hunting hearts?
No, no! never deny the soft impeachment! But I tell you, as I told
Lord Ernest, it is of no use. She is but seventeen, and 'ower young to
marry yet.'"

Before Sir Everard could retort, the cry of "Here they come!"
proclaimed the arrival of the hounds.

The hounds were put into the gorse, and the red-coats began to move out
of the field into the lane, Sir Everard and Lady Louise with them.

A loud "Halloo!" rang through the air; the hounds came with a rushing
roar over a fence.

"There he is!" cried a chorus of voices, as the fox flew over the
ground.

And at the same instant Whirlwind tore by like its namesake, with the
handsome girl upright as a dart. Away went Sir Galahad, side by side
with the roan. Lady Louise and her sedate nag were left hopelessly
behind.

On and on like the wind Whirlwind flew the fences, and Miss Hunsden sat
in her saddle like a queen on her throne.

The young baronet, even in the fierce heat of the hunt, could see the
beautiful glowing face, the flashing gray eyes, and the lances of light
flickering in the gold-brown hair.