She was
quite content with her hat, and though her habit was not exactly a
hunting habit, it fitted her well. Morton had never before seen her
in a riding dress and acknowledged that it became her. He struggled
to think of something special to say to her, but there was nothing.
He was not at home on such an occasion. His long trowsers weighed
him down, and his ordinary morning coat cowed him. He knew in his
heart that she thought no thing of him as he was now. But she said
a word to him,--with that usual smile of hers. "Of course, Mr.
Morton, you are coming with us."
"A little way perhaps."
"You'll find that any horse from Stubbings can go," said Lord
Rufford. "I wish I could say as much of all mine."
"Jack can go, I hope, Lord Rufford." Lord Rufford nodded his head.
"And I shall expect you to give me a lead." To this he assented,
though it was perhaps more than he had intended. But on such an
occasion it is almost impossible to refuse such a request.
At half-past eleven they were all out in the park, and Tony was
elate as a prince having been regaled with a tumbler of champagne.
But the great interest of the immediate moment were the frantic
efforts made by Jemima to get rid of her rider. Once or twice Sir
John asked the Major to give it up, but the Major swore that the
mare was a good mare and only wanted riding.
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