“I’ve just been up to Bridgetstown, but I did not see your mother. They _said_ she was out; however, I went in and sat down, to give Betty a rest. Cuckoo entertained us about--Ah, I suppose _this_ is your brother; it is so dark, Mr. Holroyd, that I am sorry I cannot see you; but I am delighted to make your acquaintance.” Mr. Holroyd muttered indistinctly, and removed his cap. “I am afraid you will find it frightfully dull here, and _so_ different to military life! I am devoted to the army, so is my daughter Belle. We have many friends in the Service. I hope we shall see a great deal of you; whenever you are feeling at all bored, mind you come and look us up!” Mr. Holroyd declared that he would be charmed to accept Mrs. Redmond’s invitation, but that he was sure he would not be at all bored; he liked the country, and hoped to have some hunting. Hitherto no one had noticed the girl behind the chair. The outline of her features was indistinguishable; nevertheless, George had compassion on her, and said: “Is this not rather heavy work; the roads are so muddy?” “Not at all! Not at all!” rejoined Mrs. Redmond hastily. “It’s all downhill going home, and exercise is capital for young people, especially this kind of exercise, for it brings all the muscles into play, legs and arms alike.” “But surely it is rather a long distance for one young lady,” expostulated George. “You ought to have Miss Redmond posted somewhere on the road as second horse--lay a dâk, as they call it in India,” suggested Denis facetiously. “Pooh! it’s only a mile from gate to gate. Belle would be only too delighted to take her turn, but she is such a little delicate darling, the slightest physical exertion knocks her up at once. For a strong girl it is nothing. Why, at Folkestone, I used to keep a bath-chair man for three hours at a stretch, and Betty has had a long rest.” “Nevertheless, I hope you will accept me as her substitute, and permit me to convey you home,” said George politely. “Oh, well, really, Mr. Holroyd,” exclaimed the old lady (divided between delight at the offer, and apprehension as to the style of raiment in which her dear Belle might be discovered), “I would not think of it; no, not on any account.” “Oh! but you must. I assure you I will take no refusal, I never take a refusal” (this was an excellent trait, thought the old lady), as he placed his hand on the back of the chair. “Here, Denis, you can carry my gun, and Crab will have to walk; he is more frightened than hurt;” and before Mrs. Redmond could expostulate, he was rolling her rapidly homewards. “Well this _is_ kind,” she said. “What a delightful change from Betty; she does jerk so, and can scarcely get me on at all. I’m sure it is all knack.” “Knack, indeed,” thought her charioteer. “By Jove! this old woman weighs fifteen stone, and the chair as much as a cab; unfortunate girl, how her arms must ache!”