Ravenshoe. By Henry Kingsley.

28 RAVENSHOE.
The boys were friends in two minutes; and, going out, there
was a groom holding two ponies, —on the prettiest of which
Charley soon found himself seated, and jogging on with his companion towards Henley.
I like to see two honest lads, just introduced, opening their
hearts to one another, and I know nothing more pleasant than to
see how they rejoice as each similarity of taste comes out. By
the time these two had got to Henley Bridge, Lord Welter had'heard the name of every horse in the Ravenshoe stables, and
Charley was rapidly getting learned in Lord Ascot's racing stud.
The river at Henley distracted his attention for a time, as the
biggest he had seen, and he asked his cousin, "Did he think the
Mississippi was much bigger than that now?" and Lord Welter
supposed, "0 dear, yes, a great deal bigger," he should say.
Then there was more conversation about dogs and guns, and
pleasant country places to ride through; then a canter over a
lofty, breezy down, and then the river again, far below, and at
their feet the chimneys of Ranford.
The house was very full; and as the boys came up there was
a crowd of phaetons, dog-carts, and saddle-horses, for the people
were just arriving home for dinner after the afternoon drive, and,
as they had all been to the same object of attraction that afternoon, they had all come in together, and were loitering about, talking, some not yet dismounted, and some on the steps. Welter
was at home at once, and had a word with every one; but
Charles was left alone, sitting on his pony, feeling very shy; till,
at last, a great brown man, with a great brown moustache and a
gruff voice, came up to him and lifted him off the horse, holding
him out at arm's length for inspection.
"So you are Curly Ravenshoe's boy, hey?" said he.
"Yes, sir."
"Ha! " said the stranger, putting him down, and leading him
towards the door; just tell your father you saw General Mainwaring, will you, and that he wanted to know how his old friend
was."
Charles looked at the great brown hand which was in his own,
and thought of the Affghan war, and of all the deeds of renown
that that hand had done, and was raising his eyes to the General's
face, when they were arrested half-way by another face, not the
General's.
It was that of a handsome, gray-headed man, who might have
been sixty, he was so well conserve, but who was actually far
more.- He wore his own white hair, which contrasted strongly
with a pair of delicate thin black eyebrows. His complexion was
florid, with scarcely a wrinkle, his features were fine and regular,
and a pair of sparkling dark gray eyes gave a pleasant light to