A CREAKFAST, AND — BROKEN BONES. 151 



wMcli a smart boy of some five stone odd was leading 

 up and down before the steps of the terrace. " Don't 

 you think she has got the go in her to-day?" 



"I think you have, at all events," said the squire, 

 laughing. ^' Only don't go too far, that's a good las- 

 sie. Come, lads, to the pigskin — to the pigskin, and 

 you, who have got to find your hunters, had better 

 gallop, I can tell you, for Jack Stevens waits for nei- 

 ther man nor money, and I shall throw ofi" without 

 stopping a minute, even for you, Miss Mary. So make 

 your bows like me, and go aivay^ like the fox we hope 

 for.'; 



His words were obeyed to the letter, all the party, 

 oldsters and youngsters alike, bowing or shaking hands, 

 and following their favorite, Osbaldiston. But as Fair- 

 fax, like young Edwin in the ballad, " bowed among the 

 rest," with a very blank and disconsolate aspect indeed, 

 Mary's heart relented, and she addressed him with a 

 smile, '' Colonel Fairfax, if you can find your way to 

 the library, and will bring me my hat, gloves and rid- 

 ing whip which I left on the table, you will oblige me, 

 and you shall be my cavalier en guerdon^ unless you 

 are in too great haste to be off with these mighty 

 hunters." 



The grateful glance of the Virginian aroused her as 

 he turned away to execute her bidding, and when he 

 returned she was alone with the admiral, who was fuss- 

 ing about his sandwich-box and his flask of sherry, 

 without which he would about as soon have gone 

 into the field, as he would into action without ports 

 open and matches lighted. 



" Thanks," and she hatted, veiled and gloved herself 

 before the mantle glass, without a shadow of coquetry 

 or affectation, and then, taking his arm, said gently, 

 " and now if you will help me to mount Bonnibelle, 

 we shall be ready by the time Papa has got his 

 sandwiches and sherry. There is no hurry at all, 



