They started at twelve, for the dinner hour was two, and there were eight miles to drive--a distance which, over the roads of those days, could not be accomplished much under two hours.

The coachman and two lackeys took their places on the box of the lumbering carriage, the two latter being armed with pistols, as it would be dark before they returned, and travelling after dark in the days of King William was a danger not to be lightly undertaken.

Nothing could be more stately, or to Rupert's mind more tedious, than that entertainment.

Several other guests of distinction were present, and the dinner was elaborate.
The conversation turned chiefly on county business, with an occasional allusion to the war with France.

Politics were entirely eschewed, for party feeling ran too high for so dangerous a subject to be broached at a gathering at which both whigs and tories were present.
Rupert sat near one end of the table, with the eldest son of the host.