they would be out of fashion, perhaps, when we return. I was just
going to order a new tunic, too! That sinful extravagance may be cut
off."

Harry, who, perhaps, had most cause for anxious thoughts, was foremost
in the fun. If his spirits were forced, that was his own affair; and, to
avoid Kate's over-keen eyes, he (the last thing he ought to have done)
devoted himself the whole evening to the more restful society of
Geraldine.

Pre-occupied as he was, he began to be sensible of a change in her
manner--she seemed struggling with some indefinable agitation; her voice
shook, and sounded strange when she spoke.

And when he laughingly hoped "he should be covered with medals next
time they met," uncoquettish Lady Geraldine looked a moment in his face
with a glance he could not misunderstand, while a large, unavoidable
tear fell on her hand. To capture and press it tenderly was but obeying
a remorseful impulse. Geraldine immediately became composed, and her
sensitive face brightened. The embarrassment that had left her seemed to
have passed into Harry, who felt the greatest relief when a flutter of
skirts and general rising betokened that the ladies were about to retire.

But the little incident had forced resolution on Dutton's vacillating
mind. "That settles it," he soliloquised. "She is far too nice to be
deceived. I know Kate won't let me off to-morrow, but I will have it out
with my uncle directly I come back, and go to London by the 8.30."

CHAPTER XXXIII.

LORD BROMLEY INTERVIEWS DUTTON.

Ere long a challenge and a cheer
Came floating down the wind;
'Twas Mermaid's note, and the huntsman's voice
We knew it was a find.
The dull air woke us from a trance
As sixty hounds joined chorus,
And away we went, with a stout dog fox
Not a furlong's length before us.
--Lawrence.

Nearly every one was going by a late train the following day, intending
to hunt in the morning; for it was a favourite meet in some of the best
country of ----shire. Kate was the only fair equestrian, and Harry was to
escort her.

There was one old hunter in the stables who loyally carried the young man
without taking advantage of his maladroitness. Kate always insisted, when
he accompanied her, on his being committed--I may say to the _care_ of
this faithful equine, who knew its business far better than its rider,
and, if it did not lead him to glory, at least avoided disgrace.