"But, Bessy, why did you not say so?" remonstrated Mr. Godolphin. "You should have ordered the carriage; you should not have come on foot. What will people think?" "Think!" she echoed, holding up her pleasant face to her brother, in its saucy independence. "They can think anything they please; I am Bessy Godolphin. I wonder how many scores have come on foot?" "None, Bessy, of your degree, who have carriages to sit in or horses to ride," said Sir George. "Papa, I like to use my legs better than to have them cramped under a habit or in a carriage; and you know I never could bend to form and fashion," she said, laughing. "Dear papa, I am delighted to see you! I was so thankful when I heard you were here! Janet will be ready to eat her own head now, for not coming." "Who told you I was here, Bessy?" "Old Jekyl. He was leaning on his palings as I came by, and called out the information to me almost before I could hear him. 'The master's gone to it, Miss Bessy! he is out once again! But he had not on his scarlet,' the old fellow added; and his face lost its gladness. Papa, the whole world is delighted that you should have recovered, and be once more amongst them." "Not quite recovered yet, Bessy. Getting better, though; getting better. Thank you, Thomas; the faintness has passed." "Is not Lady Godolphin here, papa?" "She must be here by this time. I wish I could see her carriage: you must get into it." "I did not come for that, papa," returned Bessy, with a touch of her warm temper. "My dear, I _wish_ you to join her. I do not like to see you here on foot." "I shall set the fashion, papa," laughed Bessy, again. "At the great meet next year, you will see half the pretenders of the county toiling here on foot. I say I am Bessy Godolphin." The knight ranged his eyes over the motley group, but he could not discern his wife. Sturdy, bluff old fox-hunters were there in plenty, and well-got-up young gentlemen, all on horseback, their white cords and scarlet coats gleaming in the sun. Ladies were chiefly in carriages; a few were mounted, who would ride quietly home again when the hounds had thrown off; a very few--they might be counted by units--would follow the field. Prior's Ash and its neighbourhood was supplied in a very limited degree with what they were pleased to call masculine women: for the term "fast" had not then come in. Many a pretty woman, many a pretty girl was present, and the sportsmen lingered, and were well pleased to linger, in the sunshine of their charms, ere the business, for which they had come out, began, and they should throw themselves, heart and energy, into it.