"Why, who was that ?" Bella's eyes began to rove, as I have before described; but she replied pretty promptly, "The brave lady herself; she brought me the anonymous letter for your defense." "Why, how came she to know about it ?" "She did not tell me that.

She was in a great hurry.

Her fiance was waiting for her." "Was it necessary to kiss her in the hunting-field ?" said Sir Charles, with something very like a frown.
"I'd kiss the whole field, grooms and all, if they did you a great service, as that dear lady has," said Bella.

The words were brave, but the accent piteous.
"You are excited, Bella.

You had better ride home," said Sir Charles, gently enough, but moodily.
"Thank you, Charles," said Bella, glad to escape further examination about this mysterious lady.