CHAPTER III. 

'And you walked here!' said Lady Everingham to Coningsby, when the stir of arranging themselves at dinner had subsided. 'Only think, papa, Mr. Coningsby walked here! I also am a great walker.' 

'I had heard much of the forest,' said Coningsby. 

'Which I am sure did not disappoint you,' said the Duke. 

'But forests without adventures!' said Lady Everingham, a little shrugging her pretty shoulders. 

'But I had an adventure,' said Coningsby. 

'Oh! tell it us by all means!' said the Lady, with great animation. 'Adventures are my weakness. I have had more adventures than any one. Have I not had, Augustus?' she added, addressing her husband. 

'But you make everything out to be an adventure, Isabel,' said Lord Everingham. I dare say that Mr. Coningsby's was more substantial.' And looking at our young friend, he invited him to inform them. 

'I met a most extraordinary man,' said Coningsby. 

'It should have been a heroine,' exclaimed Lady Everingham. 

'Do you know anybody in this neighbourhood who rides the finest Arab in the world?' asked Coningsby. 'She is called "the Daughter of the Star," and was given to her rider by the Pacha of Egypt.' 

'This is really an adventure,' said Lady Everingham, interested. 

'The Daughter of the Star!' said Lady Theresa. 'What a pretty name! Percy has a horse called "Sunbeam."' 

'A fine Arab, the finest in the world!' said the Duke, who was fond of horse. 'Who can it be?' 

'Can you throw any light on this, Mr. Lyle?' asked the Duchess of a young man who sat next her. 
Has she had any of her own?
'Oh! tell it us by all means!' said the Lady, with great animation. 'Adventures are my weakness. I have had more adventures than any one. Have I not had, Augustus?' she added, addressing her husband. 