Outside the gate on the road were drawn up a variety of vehicles, open carriages, dog-carts, gigs, and waggonettes, in some few of which were seated ladies who had come over to see the meet.

But Edgehill was, essentially, not a ladies' meet.

The distances to it were long, and the rides in Cranby Wood--the big wood--were not adapted for wheels.

There were one or two ladies on horseback, as is always the case; but Edgehill was not a place popular, even with hunting ladies.

One carriage, that of the old master of the hounds, had entered the sacred precincts of the field, and from this the old baronet was just descending, as Maxwell, Calder Jones, and Vavasor rode into the field.
"I hope I see you well, Sir William," said Maxwell, greeting the master.