In the meantime, you must content yourself with our
society."
"I am more than contented, my dear uncle, and do not sigh for the
arrival of your bachelor friends; though I dare say I shall on very
well with them when they do come."
"I expect a bevy of pretty girls as well. Do you remember Lydia Graham,
the sister of Gordon Graham, of the Fusiliers?"
"Yes, I remember her perfectly."
"I think there used to be something like a flirtation between you and
her."
Sir Oswald and Lady Eversleigh seated themselves in the barouche;
Reginald rode by their side, on a thorough-bred hack out of the Raynham
stables.
The scenery within twenty miles of the castle was varied in character
and rich in beauty. In the purple distance, to the west of the castle,
there was a range of heather-clad hills; and between those hills and
the village of Raynham there flowed a noble river, crossed at intervals
by quaint old bridges, and bordered by little villages, nestling amid
green pastures.
The calm beauty of a rustic landscape, and the grandeur of wilder
scenery, were alike within reach of the explorer from the castle.
On this bright August afternoon, Sir Oswald had chosen for the special
object of their drive the summit of a wooded hill, whence a superb
range of country was to be seen. This hill was called Thorpe Peak, and
was about seven miles from the castle.
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