The clank of pails, the stamping of hoofs on the firm causeway, the jingle of harness, and, last of all, the energetic hissing of a groom, began to fall upon her ear.

By the stir you would have thought the mail was at the door, but it was still too early in the night.

The down mail was not due at the 'Green Dragon' for hard upon an hour; the up mail from Scotland not before two in the black morning.
Nance entered the yard somewhat dazzled.

Sam, the tall ostler, was polishing a curb-chain wit sand; the lantern at his feet letting up spouts of candle-light through the holes with which its conical roof was peppered.
'Hey, miss,' said he jocularly, 'you won't look at me any more, now you have gentry at the castle.' Her cheeks burned with anger.
'That's my lord's chay,' the man continued, nodding at the chaise, 'Lord Windermoor's.

Came all in a fluster--dinner, bowl of punch, and put the horses to.