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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1862. Excerpt:... 298 CHAPTER XL 'In dubiis benigniora semper sunt prseferenda.' Jus. Antiq. The season was winter, but winter in its mildest form, and wearing its most benignant aspect. In the 'open weather' of that frostless January, spring-flowers began to peep out upon the beds, and buds to swell upon the boughs, while the poor rejoiced in a season that allowed them to work, and the rich in one that did not materially interfere with their enjoyments. It was a hunting morning; and as the 'meet' was a distant one, Philip mounted his hack early, to ride to cover. Alice was watching his departure, and waving a salutation to him from the open window of her dressing-room. He looked up, and after returning her silent greeting with a gay smile, put spurs to his horse, and rode briskly away. The anxious girl sighed as she closed the casement. 'Oh,' thought she, while recalling the expression of his kind, handsome face, 'How happy they might still be, if only--' But we must leave the dreamer to her own wistful fancies, and follow Thornleigh on his way (or rather, it should be said, on his return) for it is with that we have to do. Late in the afternoon, two men, both in hunting costume, might have been seen slowly approaching a little inn, that, standing at a short distance from the high-road, was about seven miles from the Abbey. Of those men one, the elder of the two, was on horseback, and the other on foot, leading a lame and jaded horse. 'What a bore,' said the pedestrian, whose name was Owen, 'what a bore to have to wait while that confounded smith puts the shoe on. I never was in such a rage in my life.' 'My dear Jack,' said his companion, who was no other than Thornleigh, 'you are like many an angry man, "confounding" the wrong person. It's the General's fault, he should...