He put back the gun, and said, drily, "I shall have no occasion for the gun, thank you." If Arthur was offended by the offer, Philip was much more offended by the refusal.

"As you like; I hate pride," said he; and he gave the gun to the groom as he vaulted into his saddle with the lightness of a young Mercury.

"Come, father!" Mr.Beaufort had now mounted his favourite hunter--a large, powerful horse well known for its prowess in the field.

The rider trotted him once or twice through the spacious yard.
"Nonsense, Tom: no more hurt in the loins than I am.

Open that gate; we will go across the paddock, and take the gate yonder--the old six-bar--eh, Phil ?" "Capital!--to be sure!--" The gate was opened--the grooms stood watchful to see the leap, and a kindred curiosity arrested Robert Beaufort and his son.
How well they looked! those two horsemen; the ease, lightness, spirit of the one, with the fine-limbed and fiery steed that literally "bounded beneath him as a barb"-- seemingly as gay, as ardent, and as haughty as the boyrider.