s it all over?" asked Lady George.

"That one is pretty nearly all over, miss," said George Scruby, as he
threw the fox to the hounds. "My Lady, I mean, begging your Ladyship's
pardon." Some one had prompted him at the moment. "I'm very glad to see
your Ladyship out, and I hope we'll show you something better before
long."

But poor Mary's hunting was over. When George Scruby and Sir Simon and
the hounds went off to the holt, she was obliged to remain with her
husband and sisters-in-law.

While this was going on Mr. Knox had found time to say a word to Lord
George about that letter from the Marquis. "I am afraid," he said,
"your brother is very anxious that Price should remain at Cross Hall."

"Has he said anything more?"

"Not to me; but to Price he has."

"He has written to Price?"

"Yes, with his own hand, urging him to stay. I cannot but think it was
very wrong." A look of deep displeasure came across Lord George's face.
"I have thought it right to mention it, because it may be a question
whether her Ladyship's health and happiness may not be best consulted
by her leaving the neighbourhood."

"We have considered it all, Mr. Knox, and my mother is determined to
stay. We are very much obliged to you. We feel that in doing your duty
by my brother you are anxious to be courteous to us. The hounds have
gone on; don't let me keep you."

Mr. Houghton was of course out. Unless the meets were very distant from
his own place, he was always out. On this occasion his wife also was
there. She had galloped across the park as quickly as anybody, and when
the fox was being broken up in the grass before the hall-door, was
sitting close to Lady George. "You are coming on?" she said in a
whisper.

"I am afraid not," answered Mary.

"Oh, yes; do come. Slip away with me. Nobody'll see you. Get as far as
the gate, and then you can see that covert drawn."

"I can't very well. The truth is, they don't want me to hunt."

"They! Who is they? 'They' don't want me to hunt. That is, Mr. Houghton
doesn't. But I mean to get out of his way by riding a little forward. I
don't see why that is not just as good as staying behind. Mr. Price is
going to give me a lead. You know Mr. Price?"

"But he goes everywhere."

"And I mean to go everywhere. What's the good of half-doing it? Come
along."

But Mary had not even thought of rebellion such as this--did not in her
heart approve of it, and was angry with Mrs. Houghton. Nevertheless,