ing were come before his time; and in the great wind that blew continually from the south-west, bearing the high clouds

by the tall limestone crags like pillar-capitals of an upper world; with here and there a little shallow quarry whence marble had been taken for Derby. But more lovely than all were the valleys, seen from here, as great troughs up whose sides trooped the leafless trees-lit by the streams that threw back the sunlit sk

t; since, first they rode together, and next, as it should be wit

was done i

chain, whimpering, fifty yards in the rear. Slowly the dogs advanced, each a frozen model of craft and blood-lust, till an instant afterwards, with a whir and a chattering like a broken clock, the covey whirled from the thick growth underfoot, and flashed away northwards; and, a moment later, up went the peregrines behind them. Then, indeed, it was sauve qui peut, for the ground was full of holes here and there, though there were grass-stretches as well on which all rode with loose rein, the two whose falcons were sprung always in front, according to cus

and talked together. So presently Mr. Thomas called to them, and beckoned them to their places. Robin set aside

still as clouds, with great noiseless sweeps of sickle-shaped wings. Behind came the gallopers; Marjorie on her black horse, Robin on Cecily, seeming to

rew rein, there, side by side on the windy turf, two fierce statues of destiny-cruel-eyed, blood-stained on the b

wiftly to the boy

l," she said,

his head, as Mr. Thomas rode up, his beard all blow