ld
appear mounted, in black, and would say a few civil words to Sir Simon,
and would tell George Scruby, the huntsman, that he had heard that
there was a fox among the laurels. George would touch his hat and say
in his loud, deep voice, "Hope so, my lord," having no confidence
whatever in a Manor Cross fox. Sir Simon would shake hands with him,
make a suggestion about the weather, and then get away as soon as
possible; for there was no sympathy and no common subject between the
men. On this occasion Lady Amelia had driven down Lady Susanna in the
pony-carriage, and Lady George was there, mounted, with her father the
Dean, longing to be allowed to go away with the hounds but having been
strictly forbidden by her husband to do so. Mr. Price was of course
there, as was also Mr. Knox, the agent, who had a little shooting-box
down in the country, and kept a horse, and did a little hunting.

There was good opportunity for talking as the hounds were leisurely
taken through the loose belt of woods which were by courtesy called the
Manor Cross coverts, and Mr. Price took the occasion of drawing a
letter from his pocket and showing it to Mr. Knox.

"The Marquis has written to you!" said the agent in a tone of surprise,
the wonder not being that the Marquis should write to Mr. Price, but
that he should write to any one.

"Never did such a thing in his life before, and I wish he hadn't now."

Mr. Knox wished it also when he had read the letter. It expressed a
very strong desire on the part of the Marquis that Mr. Price should
keep the Cross Hall House, saying that it was proper that the house
should go with the farm, and intimating the Marquis's wish that Mr.
Price should remain as his neighbour. "If you can manage it, I'll make
the farm pleasant and profitable to you," said the Marquis.

"He don't say a word about her ladyship," said Price; "but what he
wants is just to get rid of 'em all, box and dice."

"That's about it, I suppose," said the agent.

"Then he's come to the wrong shop, that's what he has done, Mr. Knox.
I've three more year of my lease of the farm, and after that, out I
must go, I dare say."

"There's no knowing what may happen before that, Price."

"If I was to go, I don't know that I need quite starve, Mr. Knox."

"I don't suppose you will."

"I ain't no family, and I don't know as I'm just bound to go by what a
lord says, though he is my landlord. I don't know as I don't think more
of them ladies t