Alice Lorraine: A Tale of the South Downs. Blackmore Richard Doddridge

and good wife was quite ready to scold me, for having forgotten my duty in that, the last time you came up the hill.”

      “Ah, then I walked – to-day I am riding. I thank you, I thank you, Sir Roland; but the General and Sir Remnant are waiting for me.”

      “And, most important of all, the badger. Good-bye, Struan; I shall see you soon.”

      “I hardly know whether you will or not,” the rector answered testily; “this is the time when those cursed poachers scarcely allow me a good night’s rest. And to come up this hill; and hear nothing at the top! It is too bad at my time of life! After two services every Sunday, to have to be gamekeeper all the week!”

      “At your time of life!” said Sir Roland, kindly: “why, you are the youngest man in the parish, so far as life and spirits go. To-day you are not yourself at all. Struan, you have not sworn one good round oath!”