one with Gwendolen to the meet at the Three
Barns.

"What is the matter?" he said hastily, not laying down his pen.

"I'm very sorry, sir; Primrose has fallen down and broken his knees."

"Where have you been with him?" said Mr. Gascoigne, with a touch of
severity. He rarely gave way to temper.

"To the Three Barns to see the hounds throw off."

"And you were fool enough to follow?"

"Yes, sir. I didn't go at any fences, but the horse got his leg into a
hole."

"And you got hurt yourself, I hope, eh!"

"I got my shoulder put out, but a young blacksmith put it in again for
me. I'm just a little battered, that's all."

"Well, sit down."

"I'm very sorry about the horse, sir; I knew it would be a vexation to
you."

"And what has become of Gwendolen?" said Mr. Gascoigne, abruptly. Rex,
who did not imagine that his father had made any inquiries about him,
answered at first with a blush, which was the more remarkable for his
previous paleness. Then he said, nervously--

"I am anxious to know--I should like to go or send at once to
Offendene--but she rides so well, and I think she would keep up--there
would most likely be many round her."

"I suppose it was she who led you on, eh?" said Mr. Gascoigne, laying
down his pen, leaning back in his chair, and looking at Rex with more
marked examination.

"It was natural for her to want to go: she didn't intend it
beforehand--she was led away by the spirit of the thing. And, of
course, I went when she went."

Mr. Gascoigne left a brief interval of silence, and then said, with
quiet irony,--"But now you observe, young gentleman, that you are not
furnished with a horse which will enable you to play the squire to your
cousin. You must give up that amusement. You have spoiled my nag for
me, and that is enough mischief for one vacation. I shall beg you to
get ready to start for Southampton to-morrow and join Stilfox, till you
go up to Oxford with him. That will be good for your bruises as well as
your studies."

Poor Rex felt his heart swelling and comporting itself as if it had
been no better than a girl's.

"I hope you will not insist on my going immediately, sir."

"Do you feel too ill?"

"No, not that--but--" here Rex bit his lips and felt the tears
starting, to his great vexation; then he rallied and tried to say more
firmly, "I want to go to Offendene, but I can go this evening."

"I am going there myself. I can bring word about Gwendolen, if that is
what