istant music
from the wood at the low end of the Park. The deer are all listening,
and now they troop down towards the noise in scores. How softly it
dies away and rises again! 'Tis a cornet-a-piston, I think, and though
not very skilfully played it sounds heavenly by moonlight. I never
thought that old air of "You'll Remember Me" half so beautiful before.
Who can it be? I have never heard it since I came here. It can't be
Captain Lovell's groom; it's not quite impossible it might be Captain
Lovell himself. Ah, if I thought that! Well, it has ceased now. I may
as well go to bed. What a happy day this has been, and what dreams I
shall have!

CHAPTER XII.

_Friday._--This has been an eventful day. I thought somehow it would
be so; at all events, the first day's hunting is always an era to
me--so when I came down to breakfast in my riding-habit, and braved
the cold glances of my aunt and the sarcasms of my cousin, I was
prepared for a certain amount of excitement, although, I confess, I
did not bargain for quite so much as I got.

"You'll enjoy yourself to-day, I trust, Miss Coventry," said Aunt
Horsingham, looking as black as thunder.

"Mind you don't get a fall," observed Cousin Amelia with a sneer; but
I cared little for their remarks and remonstrances. White Stockings
was at the door, Cousin John ready to lift me into my saddle, and I
envied no mortal woman on earth, no not our gracious Queen upon the
throne, when I found myself fairly mounted, and jogging gently down
the park in all the delightful anticipation of a good day's sport. I
think I would rather have ridden Brilliant of the two, but John
suggested that the country was cramped and sticky, with small fields
and blind fences. Now, White Stockings is an animal of great
circumspection, and allows no earthly consideration to hurry him. He
is, moreover, as strong as a dray-horse, and as handy, so John
declares, "as a fiddle." To him, therefore, was entrusted the honour
of carrying me on my first appearance with the Heavy-top hounds. The
meet was at no great distance from Dangerfield Hall, and being the
beginning of the season, and a favourite place, there was a
considerable muster of the _elite_ of the county, and a goodly show of
very respectable horses to grace the covert side. As we rode up to the
mounted assemblage, I perceived, by the glance of curiosity, not to
say admiration, directed at myself and White Stockings, that ladies
were unusual visi