4. THE TWELFTH OF FEBRUARYKnapwater Park is the picture—at eleven o'clock on a muddy,
quiet, hazy, but bright morning—a morning without any blue sky, and
without any shadows, the earth being enlivened and lit up rather by
the spirit of an invisible sun than by its bodily presence.
The local Hunt had met for the day's sport on the open space of
ground immediately in front of the steward's residence—called in
the list of appointments, 'Old House, Knapwater'—the meet being
here once every season, for the pleasure of Miss Aldclyffe and her
friends.
Leaning out from one of the first-floor windows, and surveying
with the keenest interest the lively picture of pink and black
coats, rich-coloured horses, and sparkling bits and spurs, was the
returned and long-lost woman, Mrs. Manston.
