All who were present showed surprise, and Lord Woodville
immediately replied "Post horses, my good friend! What can you
possibly want with them when you promised to stay with me quietly
for at least a week?"

"I believe," said the General, obviously much embarrassed, "that
I might, in the pleasure of my first meeting with your lordship,
have said something about stopping here a few days; but I have
since found it altogether impossible."

"That is very extraordinary," answered the young nobleman. "You
seemed quite disengaged yesterday, and you cannot have had a
summons to-day, for our post has not come up from the town, and
therefore you cannot have received any letters."

General Browne, without giving any further explanation, muttered
something about indispensable business, and insisted on the
absolute necessity of his departure in a manner which silenced
all opposition on the part of his host, who saw that his
resolution was taken, and forbore all further importunity.

"At least, however," he said, "permit me, my dear Browne, since
go you will or must, to show you the view from the terrace, which
the mist, that is now rising, will soon display."

He threw open a sash-window, and stepped down upon the terrace as
he spoke. The General followed him mechanically, but seemed
little to attend to what his host was saying, as, looking across
an extended and rich prospect, he pointed out the different