“But you have lost all caution, all fear, and let these friends of yesterday lead you you know not whither.”

“Traveling is one way to grow wise; and as to danger, what did you leave Craiggyside for, if it was not to take care of me?”

“Heaven knows I knew not what I undertook.  I find one young lady harder to look after than twelve score of ewes, the kine, and the crops, with the ploughmen, shepherd, and dairy-maid to boot.”

“Pray do not tell that to any but myself.  With such a character, so far from passing for a lady, I could not get a place as lady’s maid.”

“You may laugh, my lady, but the danger is real and near.  I do not trust your new friends,” and Moodie shook his finger at them before him.  “I know what is ordered must come to pass, and it is sinful to repine at it.  But I have known you from a girl, a child, for you are a girl still, my lady, and it grieves my heart to see you galloping on to Rome and ruin.”

“Is that my predestined road?” said Lady Mabel.  “Then I suppose I must ride it, but it will be at a spanking pace,” and giving her horse a cut she dashed off to the head of the party, while Moodie gazed after her in despair.

Hearing the tread of horses close behind him, he looked round and saw L’Isle’s servants at his heels, watching him closely.  The thought struck him, that he might find these men useful.  So, falling back alongside of them, he said to L’Isle’s man:  “Do you know any thing of the strange country we are going to now?”

The man looked around for a moment with a puzzled air, but perceiving that Moodie was under some strange mistake, he merely said:  “I am following my master, and leave him to choose his own road.”

“We are playing the game of follow your leader, Mr. Moodie,” said the groom, dipping into the dialogue.  “The Colonel leads, and we are to follow you know; and d——­t, we will play out the game.”

“But do you know that he is leading you to the land of the Moors?”

“If he is going to the land of the great Black-a-moor himself, we must shut our eyes and gallop down hill.  His country is said to lie in that way.”

Moodie muttered something about a son of Belial, but he wished to use these men, and not offend them.  So, turning to the groom, with grim sociability, he asked:  “Can you speak the language of the people hereabouts?”

“I can call lustily for meat and drink, and make my wants known at a pinch.”

“Can you hire me a messenger at the next place we stop at?  You must know,” said he, in a confidential tone, “I left an important matter sadly neglected in Elvas.  It is my lord’s business, and I would be sorry to come to blame in it.  Whatever it cost, I must send a letter there without delay, and while I write, you must find man and horse.  He shall have two guineas the minute the job is done.  Is that enough?”

“Quite enough,” the groom answered, gravely, while his companion turned away his head to conceal a grin.  “I know something about riding express, and for two guineas I will find you a man to ride to Elvas and back in double quick time.”