Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/92

 Amazon tackle the brook? There! She’s over! Capital, upon my word!’

‘Well done, Lesbia!’ ejaculated Miss Blemmyketts at his side. They all had seen the leap which, being at a bend in the brook, was taken broadside to the spectators.

‘Eh? she’s a friend of yours?’ asked Sir Richard, turning with sudden interest on hearing the girl’s voice from one mounted and dressed in the same style as our heroine.

‘Yes, that’s my intimate friend Lesbia Newman, sir,’ said Letitia; ‘we came out together; but she’s too good a rider for me.’

‘So she is for all of us, it would seem, Miss—I haven't the pleasure of knowing your name.’

‘Miss Blemmyketts—Letitia Blemmyketts of Brooklyn, New York, sir.’

‘Thank you; I took the liberty of asking, because I have heard of your friend Miss Newman through the Guinea-bushes of—there now! how odd! the fox must have got headed and missed his point; they’re turning to the left, by Jove! Come along, we'll see the finish yet perhaps.’

Away they all cantered down the slope towards a hamlet, through which a stony by-road led over the brook by a bridge. ‘The clatter of hoofs on the hard bottom and the glint of scarlet—for the sun shone out now—scurrying past the windows, brought out many a small brat to the cottage doors, shouting with glee, ‘Oh, ma! ’ere are some fox-hunters!’

The houses past, they turned into the fields by a gate on the right and trotted up another rise, where they halted again. The cry was nearing rapidly, but the hedges between were too tall for anything to be seen yet.

‘Here they are!’ exclaimed Miss Blemmyketts, as at last the hounds came pouring over a gate into the furthest field visible from where they were.