Volume II Part 7 (2/2)
”He has sold my father's horse, after all,” she said to herself, as she went towards the stables. ”Then I shall hate him openly all my life.
Yes, everybody shall know that I hate him.”
She found the stables in some commotion. There were two strangers, groomy-looking men, standing in front of Bullfinch's loose-box, and all the stablemen had come out of their various holes, and were standing about.
Bates looked grave and indignant.
”There isn't a finer horse in the county,” he muttered; ”it's a shame to send him out of it.”
Vixen walked straight up to the strange men, who touched their caps, and looked at her admiringly; her dark blue cloth dress fitted her like a riding-habit, her long white throat was bare, her linen collar tied loosely with a black ribbon, her chestnut hair wound into a crown of plaits at the top of her head. The severe simplicity of her dress set off her fresh young beauty.
”She's the prettiest chestnut filly I've seen for a long time.” one of the grooms said of her afterwards. ”Thoroughbred to the tips of her ears.”
”Who has bought this horse?” she asked authoritatively.
”My master, Lord Mallow, miss,” answered the superior of the men. ”You needn't be anxious about him; he'll have a rare good home.”
”Will you let me see the order for taking him away?”
”Your groom has got it, miss.”
Bates showed her a sheet of paper on which Captain Winstanley had written:
”Trosachs Hotel, September 12.
”The bay horse, Bullfinch, is to be delivered, with clothing, &c., to Lord Mallow's groom.
”C. WINSTANLEY.”
Vixen perused this paper with a countenance full of suppressed rage.
”Does your master give much money for this horse?” she asked, turning to the strange groom.
”I haven't heard how much, miss.” Of course the man knew the sum to a penny. ”But I believe it's a tidyish lot.”
”I don't suppose I have as much money in the world,” said Vixen, ”or I'd buy my father's horse of Captain Winstanley, since he is so badly in want of money, and keep him at a farm.”
”I beg your pardon, miss,” said the groom, ”but the hoss is sold. My master has paid his money. He is a friend of Captain Winstanley's. They met somewhere in Scotland the other day and my lord bought the hoss on hearsay; and I must say I don't think he'll be disappointed in him.”
”Where are you going to take him?”
”Well, it's rather an awkward journey across country. We're going to Melton. My lord is going to hunt the hoss in October, if he turns out to my lord's satisfaction.”
”You are going to take him by rail?”
”Yes, miss.”
”He has never been by rail in his life. It will kill him!” cried Vixen, alarmed.
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