Mr.Gascoigne having inquired of Anna, knew that Rex had gone with Gwendolen to the meet at the Three Barns.
"What is the matter ?" he said hastily, not laying down his pen.
"I'm very sorry, sir; Primrose has fallen down and broken his knees." "Where have you been with him ?" said Mr.Gascoigne, with a touch of severity.

He rarely gave way to temper.
"To the Three Barns to see the hounds throw off." "And you were fool enough to follow ?" "Yes, sir.

I didn't go at any fences, but the horse got his leg into a hole." "And you got hurt yourself, I hope, eh!" "I got my shoulder put out, but a young blacksmith put it in again for me.

I'm just a little battered, that's all." "Well, sit down." "I'm very sorry about the horse, sir; I knew it would be a vexation to you." "And what has become of Gwendolen ?" said Mr.Gascoigne, abruptly.

Rex, who did not imagine that his father had made any inquiries about him, answered at first with a blush, which was the more remarkable for his previous paleness.