"I want to hear your
explanation and then I shall know how to act." Up to this time he
had been standing, which was unusual with him. Now he flung himself
into an armchair.
"Really, Lord Augustus, I don't know what I've got to say. I admire
your daughter exceedingly. I was very much honoured when she and
her mother came to my house at Rufford. I was delighted to be able
to show her a little sport. It gave me the greatest satisfaction
when I met her again at your brother's house. Coming home from
hunting we happened to be thrown together. It's a kind of thing
that will occur, you know. The Duchess seemed to think a great deal
of it; but what can one do? We could have had two post chaises, of
course,--only one doesn't generally send a young lady alone. She
was very tired and fainted with the fatigue. That I think is about
all."
"But,--damme, Sir, what did you say to her?" Lord Rufford again
rubbed the nap of his hat. "What did you say to her first of all,
at your own house?"
"A poor fellow was killed out hunting and everybody was talking
about that. Your daughter saw it herself."
"Excuse me, Lord Rufford, if I say that that's what we used to call
shuffling, at school. Because a man broke his neck out hunting--"
"It was a kick on the head, Lord Augustus."
"I don't care where he was kicked.
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