brella; but there was no risk of
that in weather such as we were then enjoying; the other was, a shot
fired near the horse; but then there was little danger in that way
either, for there was not a gun in the neighbourhood, nor any thing at
which to fire. When I expressed an opinion that he and I afforded
pretty fair marks ourselves, and that I had heard of such being
selected, he burst out laughing, and asked me if I had made my will
before I left England; and did I believe the half of the stories I
heard there about Ireland? He then remarked that a whip would last for
several generations if one always drove horses like "Units" and
"Tens." Before we arrived at our destination, he said he had directed
his servant to be in readiness to take home the gig from Violet-Bank,
for that we could return by another road, and call there.

"I like your arrangement much," said I, "as I wish to pay my respects
to Mrs Vernon before I leave."

"It is all very proper," said Felworth, "but there was no occasion to
lay such emphasis on the '_Mrs._'"

After strolling about the village for an hour, Felworth despatched his
business, and we turned homewards. He did not appear so much inclined
for conversation as he had been in the morning; and we both soon
lapsed into comparative silence. The very act of driving has at any
time a tendency to produce a ruminating mood; and my thoughts
naturally turned on Alice Vernon. It was true, I had seen her only
twice, and on the first occasion only for a few minutes; yet, even
now, I could not bear the thought of her becoming the wife of another.
I knew I would probably see her in London when her brother returned;
but how many things might happen in the mean time? I felt she could
look on me only as a stranger. I wished much that I could have
remained longer at Craigduff; but for several reasons that was out of
the question. It was true I had been much pressed to prolong my stay,
but I had said that my visit was a stolen one. And now would I not
look excessively foolish, when it appeared that "imperative
circumstances" were turned into moonshine by a moonlight walk? I was
aroused from my reveries by an exclamation from Felworth, "There is
Alice Vernon, I am positive! You see her walking on the road before us
under the row of beech-trees. We will overtake her by the time she
comes to the end of them, by the quarry on the right." He proved
himself accurate; for we were only a few yards behind her, as she