One eventful afternoon, Mrs. Bazalgette and Miss Fountain walked out, taking the gallant captain between them as escort.  Reginald hovered on the rear.  Kenealy was charmingly equipped, and lent the party a luster.  If he did not contribute much to the conversation, he did not interrupt it, for the ladies talked through him as if he had been a column of red air.  Sing, muse, how often Kenealy said “yaas” that afternoon; on second thoughts, don’t.  I can weary my readers without celestial aid:  Toot! toot! toot! went a cheerful horn, and the mail-coach came into sight round a corner, and rolled rapidly toward them.  Lucy looked anxiously round, and warned Master Reginald of the danger now impending over infants.  The terrible child went instantly (on the “vitantes stulti vitia” principle) clean off the road altogether into the ditch, and clayed (not pipe) his trousers to the knee.  As the coach passed, a gentleman on the box took off his hat to the ladies and made other signs.  It was Mr. Hardie.

Mrs. Bazalgette proposed to return home to receive him.  They were about a mile from the house.  They had not gone far before the rear-guard intermitted blackberrying for an instant, and uttered an eldrich screech; then proclaimed, “Another coach! another coach!” It was a light break coming gently along, with two showy horses in it, and a pony trotting behind.

At one and the same moment Lucy recognized a four-footed darling, and the servant recognized her.  He drew up, touched his hat, and inquired respectfully whether he was going right for Mr. Bazalgette’s.  Mrs. Bazalgette gave him directions while Lucy was patting the pony, and showering on him those ardent terms of endearment some ladies bestow on their lovers, but this one consecrated to her trustees and quadrupeds.  In the break were saddles, and a side-saddle, and other caparisons, and a giant box; the ladies looked first at it, and then through Kenealy at one another, and so settled what was inside that box.

They had not walked a furlong before a traveling-carriage and four horses came dashing along, and heads were put out of the window, and the postboys ordered to stop.  Mr. Talboys and Mr. Fountain got out, and the carriage was sent on.  Introductions took place.  Mrs. Bazalgette felt her spirits rise like a veteran’s when line of battle is being formed.  She was one of those ladies who are agreeable or disagreeable at will.  She decided to charm, and she threw her enchantment over Messrs. Fountain and Talboys.  Coming with hostile views, and therefore guilty consciences, they had expected a cold welcome.  They received a warm, gay, and airy one.  After a while she maneuvered so as to get between Mr. Fountain and Captain Kenealy, and leave Lucy to Mr. Talboys.  She gave her such a sly look as she did it.  It implied, “You will have to tell me all he says to you while we are dressing.”

Mr. Talboys inquired who was Captain Kenealy.  He learned by her answer that that officer had arrived to-day, and she had no previous acquaintance with him.