'Ask me not what the lady feels,
Left in that dreadful hour alone,'
laughed Albinia to herself. 'Well done, speed! Edmund might be
satisfied there's not much amiss! Through the hedge--over the
meadow--a flying leap over the stream--it is more like a bird than a
man--up again. Does he mean to follow the hunt all the rest of the
way? Rather Irish, I must say! And I do believe they will all come
down this lane! I must walk on; it wont do to be overtaken here
between these high hedges. Ah! I thought he was too much of a
gentleman to leave me--here he comes. How much in his way I must be!
I never saw such a runner; not a bit does he slacken for the hill--and
what bright cheeks and eyes! What good it must have done him!'
'I beg ten thousand pardons!' cried he, as he came up, scarcely out
of breath. 'I declare I forgot you, I could not help it, when I saw
them at a check !'
'You feel for the hunter as I do for the fox,' said Albinia. 'Is
yours one of the great hunting neighbourhoods?'
'That it is!' he cried. 'My grandfather had the grand stud! He and
his seven sons were out three times in the week, and there was a
mount for whoever wanted it!'
'And this generation is not behind the last?'
'Ah! and why would it be?' exclaimed the boy, the last remnant of
English pronunciation forsaking him. 'My Uncle Connel has the best
mare on this side the bridge of Athlone! I mean that side.
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