There were many who had chosen to ride; and among
the equestrians was Sir Oswald himself.
For the first time in any excursion, the baronet deserted his
accustomed place by the side of his wife. Honoria deeply felt the
slight involved in this desertion; but she was too proud to entreat him
to alter his arrangements. She saw his favourite horse brought round to
the broad steps; she saw her husband mount the animal without a word of
remonstrance, without so much as a reproachful glance, though her heart
was swelling with passionate indignation. And then she took her place
in the barouche, and allowed the gentlemen standing near to assist in
the arrangement of the shawls and carriage-rugs, which were provided in
case of change of weather.
Sir Oswald was not slow to remark that appearance of indifference. When
once estrangement has arisen between those who truly love each other,
everything tends to widen the breach. The jealous husband had chosen to
separate himself from his wife in a sudden impulse of angry distrust;
but he was still more angry, still more distrustful, when he saw her
apparent carelessness of his desertion.
"She is happier without me," he thought, bitterly, as he drew his horse
on one side, and watched all that took place around the barouche.
"Unrestrained by my presence, she will be free to revel in the
flatteries of her younger admirers.
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