The carriage-top had been thrown open, and at the moment of these words Miss Changarnier saw Mr. St. George, from his seat on the box beside the coachman, hastily start and turn, but whether on account of Mrs. Arles, or at something in the road, she could not discern; for Marlboro's horse having very singularly fallen lame in the stables that night, she had heard Mr. St. George muttering something about foul play, as he offered the other a seat, and she felt that he entertained apprehensions. Had she seen Marlboro's arm raised quiveringly, while the lash of the riding-whip fell across the groom's face in a welt, as he dismissed him, she might have felt also a womanly fear that the apprehensions were not groundless. For Marlboro', unable to get speech with Eloise one moment apart from others that day, had fled home in a fury, and had thus, when his anger cooled, been obliged to ride alone to the place of merry rendezvous. Gradually, now, as they jogged along, Mrs. Murray began nodding here and there about the carriage, dropping her head very much as if she meant to drop it for good and all; one by one the others forgot themselves; but Eloise could see Marlboro' in the opposite corner sitting alert and pale and sparkling-eyed, and felt that Mr. St. George was watching every brier on the road-side, beneath his slouching brim. At length the carriage stopped with a jerk just as they reached the little log-bridge that crossed the creek, and Mr. St. George appeared at the door. "You must all alight a moment," he said. "Here is a break-down;--and, moreover, a log of the bridge has been displaced,"--the last in an aside to Marlboro'. It took but a few moments to repair the road, and to tie up the broken springs of the coach as they could; but, after a trial, it was found impossible for all to ride. "I will walk," said Eloise, stepping down before any one could arrest her. "We were all too much crowded. Come with me, Will,--if only, Mr. St. George, you will take the reins yourself and spare Ned to us?" "No," said Mr. St. George, perhaps knowing from old experience that it would be useless to oppose Eloise, and having no time to lose. "Keep your place, Will; do you hear? The horses are best used to the customary driver. That makes it all right." "Certainly, St. George, this should be my duty!" exclaimed Marlboro'. But, as he sprang up, Mr. St. George's arm barred the way. "You have quite enough to do to take care of yourself, Marlboro'!" said he, thrusting his revolver into the other's hand. "Drive on, Ned. Only keep us in sight." "Mas'r Sin George, Sah," said the stolid Ned, "you are safe enough. Expect, 'f you want _him_ safe," with supreme contempt, "I'd better get de go out o' dese yer critters wile dey feel der oats!" "Wretched insolence!" murmured Marlboro', still incensed. And in a few minutes the coach had disappeared round the winding way.