This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ... three or four days. I am due to-day, but I scarcely cared to travel by cross-country roads in such rain as this. However, if the floodgates of the sky are loosened for a new deluge, I must go to-morrow.' 'What a headstrong young man!' I exclaimed" ' And what will Miss Tremaine say to this desertion?'' I asked in a lower voice. ' ' Miss Tremaine can say whatever she p1eases._ She had it in her power to make me forget the pleasures of the chase, if she had chosen, though we had been in the heart of the shires, and the welkin ringing with the haying of hounds.' ' O, I begin to understand. This hunting engagement is not of long standing.' 'No; I began to find myself bored here a few days ago, and wrote to Frank to offer myself for two or three days at Wycherly. I received a most cordial answer by return, and am hooked till the end of this week.' ' You have not forgotten the ball on the first?' ' 0, no; to do that would be to vex my mother, and to offer a slight to our guests. I shall be here on New-Year's'night, come what may.' Come what may! so lightly spoken. The time came when I had bitter cause to remember those words. ' I'm afraid you will vex your mother by going at 'all, ' I said. ' You know what a horror both she and your father have of hunting.' 'A most un-country-gentleman-like aversion on my father's part. But he is a dear old book-worm, seldom happy out of his library. Yes, I admit they both have a dislike to hunting in the abstract; but they know I am a pretty good rider, and that it would need a bigger country than I shall find about Wycherly to floor me. You need...