"You forget, Halket, he likes it. Do you think every young man likes to stay at home like yourself? I am sure if I were unmarried I would have been off with Ravensworth too. What think you of shooting tigers and elephants? better than this," said the Earl bringing down a brace of partridges right and left. "Na, na, my Lord, scarce better,--besides the het sun; I have cause to know about it, having lost two sons in the Indies of Yellow Jack, as they call the fever; fine lads they were, and most like Mr. John that's gone." "Tuts, that was in the West Indies, not where Mr. Ravensworth is gone; it's a fine climate, perhaps a little hot, but to a steady young fellow like him there is no fear." "West or East Indies, it's all one; I say to the devil with foreign lands, begging your Lordship's pardon for the word, and hoora for auld Scotland, na place like hame." "You had better mind your business, and let Mr. Ravensworth mind his own, and talk less--see, your chattering has put up a whole covey out of shot! do hold your tongue." Halket saw he had better be still, and sought to remedy his error by more sportsmanlike behaviour, whistled the dogs nearer in, and tried a turnip field where he had marked the birds to. Meantime the Countess getting uneasy at the continued absence of Lady Florence, went up to her room and, after knocking twice without gaining any reply, opened the door, and was much surprised to find her sister lying dressed on the sofa, crying like a child. "My darling, what is wrong? why did you not tell me you were unwell? what is the matter?" "Oh, it's all my doing! poor Johnny, poor Johnny! I shall never see him again. Oh, that I was dead!" cried the poor girl, scarcely knowing what she was saying. "Hush, dear, do not say so! why, Florence, I never dreamed you loved him--I am sure you let none of us guess it." "Oh, I know it! it was my cruel, wicked heart.--I did love him, and I told him falsehood, and then it was too late. Oh, I shall never see him again!" "Gently, love, I hardly understand you; tell me all, hide nothing. You need not fear me, I will not betray my trust." In broken sentences, Lady Florence then told the whole to the Countess, and when she had finished broke into a fresh flood of tears. "I am glad, love, you told me all, and while it was foolish at the first to trifle with such fragile things as hearts, it is all for the best. I am glad Johnny showed himself such a true man as he did; I could hardly have thought such a young creature could have decided so properly. And you, darling, did right too not to press him against his conscience. Never mind, it is these partings that make such pleasant meetings! he will come back again, and you shall prove how faithful you are. Come, Florence, cheer up, and you shall find I will not let you forget Johnny. I am sure you are both worthy of each other, you both did right."