He merely reminded me that he was close at hand; and I had but to touch my bell, to bring him in an instant to my side. The next morning I was awakened by Lord Berwick's odd voice calling to Worcester. "I have brought you some prime apples, which came from my country house this morning, and Sophia wants you both to dine with me to-day. In short, she will not come unless you do." I hurried on my dressing-gown, and assured Lord Berwick that I should meet her with pleasure. Lord Worcester said that he ought to be at parade; but declared, no matter what might be the consequence, that he could not and never would leave me again. After breakfast, his two grooms rode up to the door with three horses: one of them was a delightfully quiet-looking lady's horse. "Who is to ride that one which is without a saddle?" I inquired. Worcester made Will Haught bring down from his dressing-room one of the most beautiful, easy side-saddles I ever beheld, richly embroidered with blue silk. "Will you ride, Harriette?" asked Worcester. "If so, I hope you will approve of this saddle of my choosing, which shall always be kept in my dressing-room, that no one may use it for an instant, except yourself." We took a very long ride, and were joined by my former acquaintance Colonel Palmer, who pressed me very politely to accompany Lord Worcester to dine at the mess-room. "Not to day," said I; "certainly next week, with Worcester's permission." Colonel Palmer fixed on an early day in the week, and kindly assured us he would get the mess-dinner kept back for an hour, knowing how fond Worcester was of late hours. He then ventured gently to hint something about Colonel Quintin's displeasure at his having failed to attend parade that morning. "I shall scold you," continued the colonel, addressing me, "if this happens again." Worcester and I rode about the country together till it was nearly time to dress: the under-groom, who was waiting at my door for my horse, held out his hand for my foot, to assist me in dismounting, while his master was taking leave of Colonel Palmer; and I was just going to accept his assistance when Worcester, in much agitation, desired him to desist, and never attempt such presumption again. I assured his lordship that I should not like him a bit the better for dirtying his hands or his gloves with my muddy shoes: but he was peremptory. Lord Berwick treated us most magnificently; but Sophia, the gentle, dovelike Sophia, was become so very cross and irritable to his lordship, that it was disagreeable to everybody present. After dinner we played at cards; and, when we had concluded one of the most stupid evenings possible, Worcester and I took our leave. The next morning Lord Berwick called on me, to entreat that I would consider my sister's welfare and persuade her to place herself under his protection. "The annuity I propose giving her," continued his lordship, "of £500, shall be derived from money in the funds."