The park lay below him wrapped in mystery. On another
slope a full mile away stood the Castle, ancient battlemented, starkly
splendid, one westward-facing window burning as with fire. He sat
motionless for a space, gazing across at it, his face a curious mask of
conjecture and regret.
Finally, with great suddenness, he lifted his hand and smote his horse
sharply on the flank. In a moment he was being precipitated at a headlong
gallop down the hill. He went like the wind, and the enchanted wood
was left behind.
Riding up the further slope to the Castle a few minutes later, he was
hailed from behind and reined in to look back. A long-legged figure
detached itself from a clump of trees that shadowed the bailiff's house
and came racing in pursuit.
"Hi! Charlie! Don't be in such a deuce of a hurry! I'm going your way."
Saltash waited, not too patiently. "My good chap, you're dressed and I'm
not! I shall be late for my guests."
"What's it matter?" scoffed Bunny breathlessly, reaching his side. "Maud
and Jake don't count, and Toby is only a kid. I don't suppose she's ever
been out to dine before."
"She's old enough to begin," remarked Saltash, pushing on at a walk.
"Well, she is beginning," said Bunny, with a grin as he strode beside
him.
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