The vestiges of this good humor still remained upon his face and in his demeanor all the morning, which had been spent in a run with the Warrenton pack. It was so long since he had ridden to hounds that he had almost forgotten the joy of it, but he was well mounted and finished creditably. her heels for most of the way and Gallatin pounded after her, his muscles aching, determined not to be outridden by a woman.
In the first check, she drew her horse alongside of his and smiled at him.
“Ready to let me announce it yet, Phil?” she asked.
Gallatin just then was wondering whether his leg grip would last out the day.
“Announce what, Nina?” he asked.
“Our engagement,” she returned with a smile. “It’s almost time, you know.”
“Oh, go as far as you like.”
“Don’t laugh!”
“I’ve got to—you make me so happy.”
“Oh, you can joke if you like now, but you’ll have to marry me some day.”
[288]
“Oh, will I? Why?”
“Because you like me. Friendship subdues even Time, Phil. I’m willing to wait.”
And when he looked at her, at loss for a reply, the hounds gave tongue again and they were off at a full gallop. He couldn’t help admiring her this morning. The easy unconventionality of her speech, her attitude of good fellowship, were a part of the setting. This was the scene in which she always appeared to the best advantage and she took the center of the stage with an assurance which showed how well she knew her lines.
It was Nina’s brush, of course, for she had brought down her own best hunter for the occasion and was in at the death with the Huntsman and Master of the Hounds, while Gallatin trailed in with the Field. And in the ride homeward Phil found himself jogging along comfortably at Nina’s side.
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