"Do you want me?" said Fitz, rather puzzled, for there was something in Bertie's face that looked momentous.
"No, I don't want you," said Bertie; "I wanted a word with your sister."
Fitz looked puzzled still, but nodded to Ethel.
"Do you hear that, Eth? He wants to speak to you."
Ethel steered her horse near the rails, and Bertie went up and patted it.
Now that he had the opportunity he did not know what to say, or rather he was loath to say it before Fitz; he would rather have had Ethel alone, and, besides, his news was so precious that he clung to it and hugged it.
"Fitz," he said, "do you mind lending me your nag? It isn't far to walk home."
"Eh?" said Fitz, "what do you mean? I say, what's up? Something between you and Eth, I'll bet a pound. Yes, here you are, old fellow, here's the nag. Don't you two get up to mischief."
He got off in a moment, like the good-natured fellow that he was, and Bertie sprang into the saddle.
"You're a good fellow, Fitz," he said, gratefully.
"Just so," said Fitz, "that's what every man says; but, I say, I don't know whether it's the right thing. What will the earl and countess say? They're mighty particular, you know."
"I'll be responsible," said Bertie, laughing. "Good-by, old fellow; you are a good fellow, too."
The two lovers, left thus, sat still, Ethel blushing and trembling, Bertie flushed and excited.
"Shall we have a gallop?" he said, and accordingly Ethel, without a word, put her horse into a run.
They rode to the end of the Row, then Bertie said:
"Don't you think it is very impudent of me to borrow your brother's horse and capture you?"
"Oh, my darling!" he burst out, triumphantly, delightedly, "you are mine! I have seen the earl this morning and he has given you to me."
They rode side by side, Bertie speaking of all his hopes and plans, she listening and drinking in the music of his voice.
Somehow or other they found themselves out of the Row and away to a secluded road, where there were no spectators.
Then Bertie took possession of the hand, and while he murmured soft, sweet words, as lovers can and will, he performed a feat of equestrianism which would have made him a worthy candidate for a circus, for with reckless daring he bent forward and actually snatched a kiss from the blushing but forgiving Ethel.