"For those that ride so far with me must sup with me," said
he; a sentiment that was much approved.
He took Lady Bassett and the women upstairs and rested them about an
hour; and then they started for Huntercombe, followed by some thirty
farmers and a dozen towns-people, who had a mind for a lark and to sup
at Huntercombe Hall for once.
The ride was delightful; the carriage bowled swiftly along over a
smooth road, with often turf at the side; and that enabled the young
farmers to canter alongside without dusting the carriage party. Every
man on horseback they overtook joined them; some they met turned back
with them, and these were rewarded with loud cheers. Every eye in the
carriage glittered, and every cheek was more or less flushed by this
uproarious sympathy so gallantly shown, and the very thunder of so many
horses' feet, each carrying a friend, was very exciting and glorious.
Why, before they got to the village they had fourscore horsemen at
their backs.
As they got close to the village Mary Gosport held out her arms for
young master: this was not the time to forego her importance.
The church-bells rang out a clashing peal, the cavalcade clattered into
the village. Everybody was out to cheer, and at sight of baby the
women's voices were as loud as the men's.
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