At nine o’clock she walked into the breakfast parlour properly equipped for the day’s sport.  There were four or five men there in red coats and top boots, among whom Lord Rufford was conspicuous.  They were just seating themselves at the breakfast table, and her aunt was already in her place.  Lady Chiltern had come into the room with herself, and at the door had spoken some good-natured words of surprise.  “I did not know that you were a sportswoman, Miss Trefoil.”  “I do ride a little when I am well mounted,” Arabella had said as she entered the room.  Then she collected herself, and arranged her countenance, and endeavoured to look as though she were doing the most ordinary thing in the world.  She went round the room and kissed her aunt’s brow.  This she had not done on any other morning; but then on other mornings she had been late.  “Are you going to ride?” said the Duchess.

“I believe so, aunt.”

“Who is giving you a horse?”

“Lord Rufford is lending me one.  I don’t think even his good-nature will extend to giving away so perfect an animal.  I know him well for I rode him when I was at Rufford.”  This she said so that all the room should hear her.

“You need not be afraid, Duchess,” said Lord Rufford.  “He is quite safe”

“And his name is Jack,” said Arabella laughing as she took her place with a little air of triumph.  “Lord Rufford offered to let me have him all the time I was here, but I didn’t know whether you would take me in so attended.”

There was not one who heard her who did not feel that she spoke as though Lord Rufford were all her own.  Lord Rufford felt it himself and almost thought he might as well turn himself round and bid his sister and Miss Penge let him go.  He must marry some day and why should not this girl do as well as any one else?  The Duchess did not approve of young ladies hunting.  She certainly would not have had her niece at Mistletoe had she expected such a performance.  But she could not find fault now.  There was a feeling in her bosom that if there were an engagement it would be cruel to cause obstructions.  She certainly could not allow a lover in her house for her husband’s niece without having official authenticated knowledge of the respectability of the lover; but the whole thing had come upon her so suddenly that she was at a loss what to do or what to say.  It certainly did not seem to her that Arabella was in the least afraid of being found out in any untruth.  If the girl were about to become Lady Rufford then it would be for Lord Rufford to decide whether or no she should hunt.  Soon after this the Duke came in and he also alluded to his niece’s costume and was informed that she was to ride one of Lord Rufford’s horses.  “I didn’t hear it mentioned before,” said the Duke.  “He’ll carry Miss Trefoil quite safely,” said Lord Rufford who was at the moment standing over a game pie on the sideboard.  Then the subject was allowed to drop.