midnight before
Thus restricted , Mrs. Lascelles fell back upon the attentions of Lieutenant Forsyth , whose gallantry was always as fresh as his smart cadet-like tunics , and they took some rides together . Whether it was military caution or the feminine discretion of the colonel 's wife , -- to the quiet amusement of the other officers , -- a trooper was added to the riding party by the order of the colonel , and thereafter it consisted of three . One night , however , the riders did not appear at dinner , and there was considerable uneasiness mingled with some gossip throughout the garrison . It was already midnight before they arrived , and then with horses blown and trembling with exhaustion , and the whole party bearing every sign of fatigue and disturbance . The colonel said a few sharp , decisive words to the subaltern , who , pale and reticent , plucked at his little moustache , but took the whole blame upon himself . HE and Mrs. Lascelles had , he said , outridden the trooper and got lost ; it was late when Cassidy -LRB- the trooper -RRB- found them , but it was no fault of HIS , and they had to ride at the top of their speed to cover the ground between them and the fort . It was noticed that Mrs. Lascelles scarcely spoke to Forsyth , and turned abruptly away from the colonel 's interrogations and went to her room .