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have the noblemen scattered over the countryside when he comes." He cast a look around at the disorderly mob. "I do not think the Queen would mind if some of us rode out a little." His expression turned roguish. "If I can start some gamewill you follow?" |
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"What?" Alinor laughed, "without dogs?" |
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The young man shrugged. "We cannot ride farthat, the Queen would see fault inso dogs would do us no good. Will you come?" |
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"So close along the road, and with this rout, I doubt if you can start even a hare," Alinor said. |
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She had a momentary doubt that the squire desired a little dalliance behind the first bush he could find, but he was some two or three years younger than she and did not look in the least amorous. In fact, some minutes later he had started a hare. Alinor would not have ridden off alone, but some two dozen ladies and gentlemen saw what the squire had and went hallooing off after him. It seemed safe enough, and they all coursed it for ten minutes or so, as long as it would run, for the sheer joy of galloping over the fields. When the creature had found a thicket impenetrable to the horsemen, although one or two gentlemen even dismounted to try to poke it out, the group turned back. Alinor found the pleasant young squire beside her and held in her mare to thank him for the sport. |
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"You should thank me," he said ruefully, "for you will get back scot-free, but I will be whipped for laming my horse." |
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And, as they moved slowly forward, it was obvious that the poor beast was limping. Alinor watched the halting gait for a moment. "Have you looked to see if he has picked up something in his shoe?" she asked. "It looks like trouble with the hoof rather than with the leg." |
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The boy dismounted at once and Alinor held the reins while he examined the stallion's hoof. "You are right," he exclaimed, "but I fear the damage has been |
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