Here the prizes were to be distributed.
Here those of the gentlemen and ladies who were not on horseback alighted, and ascended to a terrace, in shape like a lofty tower, which rose from the midst of the pleasure-house, and from whence the whole plain was visible.

Only here and there was a dot of forest to be seen; everywhere else stretched a waste expanse covered with broom, coarse grass, and sedges,--a true realm of foxes.

Thus from the tower of the pleasure-house the best possible view of the whole competition was obtainable, and there were field-glasses provided for those who wanted them.
A whole army of foxhounds had followed the hunters.

It was a fine sight to see how, at a single familiar whistle, the various packs of hounds were separated from each other; how the dogs crowded round their respective masters, for the favourites were now let down from the carts and the rest were unleashed; and how, barking and yelping, they leaped in the air, to reach and lick their masters' uplifted hands.
It is curious how human passions prove contagious to the very beasts.
Squire John selected from among the rest two pure snow-white hounds, and, whistling to them between his two fingers, led them to his wife.
"They are the finest and the boldest foxhounds in the whole pack." "I know them: one is Cziczke, and the other Rajko." The two dogs, hearing their names mentioned, joyously leaped and bounded in their efforts to lick their mistress's hand as she sat on horseback.
It was very pleasant to Squire John to find that his wife knew his dogs by name, he was equally pleased to see that the dogs knew their mistress--ah! every one did her homage, both man and beast.
"But where, then, is Matyi ?" inquired Fanny, looking about her.
"I am taking him with me." "What, sir, are you going to take part in the race?
Pray do not!" "Why not?
Don't you think me a good enough horseman ?" "I readily believe that you are; but pray, for my sake, do not proceed to prove it!" "For your sake I will immediately dismount." Flora whispered to Count Gregory, who was riding by her side, "I should like to know how many of the husbands present would give up hunting for the sake of their wives ?" And, indeed, Squire John's affection must have been something altogether out of the way to make him renounce his favourite pastime in the joyful anticipation of which he had been living for months beforehand, simply to please his wife.

Fanny, deeply touched, held out her hands towards him.
"You are not angry with me, I hope," said she; "but I feel so frightened on your account." John Karpathy pressed the extended hand to his lips, and, holding it in his palm some little time, asked-- "And ought _I_ not to be afraid on your account also ?" Fanny involuntarily glanced at her friend, as if to ask whether she also ought not to remain here.
Karpathy guessed the meaning of the look.
"No, no; I don't want you to remain here.