"Did you pass a gentleman--my cousin, Captain Rolph--in the woods?"
"Yes; about a couple of miles away. I beg pardon for my interference,"
there was an exchange of bows; and each passed on.
"What a fool I am!" muttered Oldroyd. "Like a man. Jumps at the chance
of playing the knight-errant. Only begged a copper or two of her; a
loafing scoundrel. Phew!" he whistled, "my cousin! I'm afraid that my
cousin is going to be pulled up sharp; and quite right too. Looks like
a piece of jealousy there. And the fellow's engaged. Well, it's not my
business. Go on, Peter, old man."
Peter wagged his tail, but still there was no increase of speed; for, if
ponies can think, Peter was cogitating on the fact that if he made haste
home there would be time for him to go with Sinkins, the carpenter, to
fetch a piece of oak from the wood; and he felt that he had done enough
for one day.
Volume 3, Chapter V.