I wish my friend Aristotle had been there; I think he would have been pleased at her [Greek] (presence of mind) in turning even her terror of the supernatural so quickly to account, and making it subservient to flirtation.

David sat heart-stricken and hopeless, gazing at the sea.  The hours passed by his heavy heart unheeded.  The leafy screen deadened the light sound of the horses’ feet on the turf, and, moreover, his senses were all turned inward.  They were upon him, and he did not move, but still held his head in his hands and gazed upon the sea.  At Mrs. Bazalgette’s cries he started up, and looked confusedly at them all; but, when she did the feinting business, he thought she was going to faint, and caught her in his arms; and, holding her in them a moment as if she had been a child, he deposited her very gently in a sitting posture at the foot of one of the trees, and, taking her hand, slapped it to bring her to.

“Oh, don’t! you hurt me,” cried the lady in her natural voice.

Lucy, barbarous girl, never came to her aunt’s assistance.  At the first fright she seemed slightly agitated, but she now sat impassive on her pony, and even wore a satirical smile.

“Now, dear aunt, when you have done, Mr. Dodd will put you on your horse again.”

On this hint David lifted her like a child, malgre a little squeak she thought it well to utter, and put her in the saddle again.  She thanked him in a low, murmuring voice.  She then plied David with a host of questions.  “How came he so far from home?” “Why had he deserted them all day?” David hung his head, and did not answer.  Lucy came to his relief:  “It would be as well if you would make him promise to be at home in time for dinner; and, by the way, I have a favor to ask of you, Mr. Dodd.”

“A favor to ask of me?!”

“Oh, you know we all make demands upon your good-nature in turn.”

“That is true,” said La Bazalgette, tenderly.  “I don’t know what will become of us all when he goes.”

Lucy then explained “that the masked ball suggested by Mr. Talboys’ beautiful dresses was to be very soon, and she wanted Mr. Dodd to practice quadrilles and waltzes with her; it will be so much better with the violin and piano than with a piano alone, and you are such an excellent timist—­will you, Mr. Dodd?”

“That I will,” said David, his eyes sparkling with delight; “thank you.”

“Then, as I shall practice before the gentlemen join us, and it is four o’clock now, had you not better turn your back on the sea, and make the best of your way home?”

“I will be there almost as soon as you.”

“Indeed! what, on foot, and we on horseback?”

“Ay; but I can steer in the wind’s eye.”

“Aunt, Mr. Dodd proposes a race home.”

“With all my heart.  How much start are we to give him?”

“None at all,” said David; “are you ready?  Then give way,” and he started down the hill at a killing pace.