"He was the finest horseman I ever saw on a
horse," said Hampton.
"A little too much temper," said Captain Battersby, who was a very
old friend of the Major.
"I'd give a good deal that that mare had never been brought to my
stables," said Lord Rufford. "Purefoy will never get over it, and I
shan't forget it in a hurry." Sir John at this time was up-stairs
with the sufferer. Even while drinking their wine they could not
keep themselves from the subject, and were convivial in a
cadaverous fashion.
CHAPTER XXIV
The Ball
The people came of course, but not in such numbers as had been
expected. Many of those in Rufford had heard of the accident, and
having been made acquainted with Nokes's report, stayed away.
Everybody was told that supper would be on the table at twelve, and
that it was generally understood that the house was to be cleared
by two. Nokes seemed to think that the sufferer would live at least
till the morrow, and it was ascertained to a certainty that the
music could not affect him. It was agreed among the party in the
house that the ladies staying there should stand up for the first
dance or two, as otherwise the strangers would be discouraged and
the whole thing would be a failure. This request was made by Lady
Penwether because Miss Penge had said that she thought it
impossible for her to dance.
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