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EDWAED KENNAED, AUTHOR OP ** killed in the open," " a real good thing," "a glorious gallop," "straight as a die," ETC., ETC. / THE NATIONAL PUBLISHING COMPANY. Entered according to Act of Parliament, In the year 1888, by the National Publishing CoMPANT, in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture. CONTENTS. 1 I. — Going to thb Shikeh • • • PAGE • ; . 1 II. — ^A Leicbstkrshire Stud-Groom • , 12 HI. — Inspecting the Stud • • • . . , 29 IV.—" Brown Habit " . , , . . 21 v.— Love at First Sight . . , , , . . 37 VI. — Mr. Dimblbbbe Grows Garrulous • • • 46 Vn.-A!f On Day . . . 67 Vm.— The Siren Shows Temper . • 62 IX. — A Quick Burst . 69 X. — ^pRiDE Hath a Fall .... 74 XI. — Making Friends .... . • . 81 Xn.— A Six-Day8-a-Webk Man's Wipe . . • 93 XIII. — Nell's First Love Apfair , , . 105 XIV. — DiCKT Makes tub Eunninq • • • . 115 XV.— Thrown Out ...... . 122 XVI. -A Fair Pilot . 134 XVII.— Well Snubbed .... . . . 144 XVIII. — An Evening at Cattington Towers . . 151 XIX.— Comb Again, Mr Friend . . , , . 162 XX. — The Grebn-Eyed Mobster , , , . . 174 XXI. — Ih For a Run . . • • • • . 136 XXII.— Poor Sweetheart! . . • • • • 199 XXm.--A Sad Drivb Home . 209 CtffifMla. XXIV.— Will You Forqivb Mb? 218 XXV.— "Thb MoDMT Violot" 226 XXVI.— A MoDiiur Woobb 237 XXVII.— Fob Fbibndship's Sakb 250 XXVIII.— LiKB All tub Othbk8 262 XXIX.— 'Wab Wibb ! 276 XXX.— Kmockbd odt of Tiiib 282 XXXI.— "Uhcbbtaik, Cor, and Hard to Plbasb" , . 293 XXXn.— Thb Old, Old Talb 300 XXXIIL— A Pbrfbct DABLua .•••••. 308 THE GIEL IN THE BROWN HASIT. CHAPTER I. GOING TO THE SHIRES. It was on the 1st of January, 188 — , that Dicky Dawson and myself drove up the incline leading to St. Pancras Station, and gave our luggage in charge of an obliging porter, with strict instructions to see it properly labelled. Then, after laying in a large stock of sporting literature, we stepped into a first-class railway compartment, and tucking our rugs around us — for the day was cold, with a sharp touch of frost in the air — lit up our cigars, and proceeded to make ourselves generally comfortable. Two lighter-hearted, happier, and more careless young men, I verily believe it would have been im- possible to find in all Great Britain. There existed but one drawback to our present condition of intense satisfaction, and that was a certain want of ready money, far from uncommon amongst youthful officers in a crack cavalry regiment, whose tastes, habits, and general expenditure have the unfortunate knack of invariably being in advance of their finances. To tell the honest truth, both Dicky and I were as poor as church mice. Perhaps, on the whole, I might be reckoned a shade better off than my companion, since I was the eldest son of a baronet, whose position and family were of long-standing in the county of Gloucestershire; but my father — whose income was principally derived from land — had great difficulty in making both ends meet, and latterly, owing to the existing state of agricultural epression, he had been forced to cut down my allow- THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. my me to ance to such an extont, that at times I debated in own mind whether it would be possible for m continue in the army. As for young Dawson, being the Benjamin of a large family, he also had little save his profession to rely upon. Nay, I am wrong there, for Dicky cherished hopes, which it was impossible for me — even had I approved of them — to entertain. It may as well be stated at once, that he was an unusually good-looking young fellow, and in his more calculating moods, was wont to fall back upon the pleasing belief that, some fine day, he would indubitably find favour in the eyes of a wealthy heiress, with means sufficient to keep herself and him too. So firm was this conviction, that Dicky and his matrimonial ventures had become a standing jest amongst the officers of the — Lancers, who professed to take the keenest interest in the various affaires de caeiir of their inflammatory comrade. Unfortunately however for poor Dicky, one or two of his more unsuccessful attempts had reached the ears of his brother officers, who in consequence "chaffed" him in the most unmerciful manner. But this badinage he accepted in perfect good humour, continuing to declare with imperturbable cool- ness that the happy event was only delayed, and that some day he should succeed in his endeavours. " For, after all, you know," he would add, laughing lightly meanwhile, ** at four-and-twenty there is no need to be in such a desperate hurry. A fellow may as well have a bit of a fling first, till he spots the right figure, and is prepared to settle down as a Benedict. Mark my words, however, it will all come in good time." It was simply impossible to help smiling at Dicky's confidence in his own powers of attraction. There was something so irresistibly naive about it. And yet i£ ever a man were justified in thinking to win a wealthy wife through his personal charms alone, he was that man. I, Miles Mannington, who am a great ugly fellow, yet not without an appreciative eye for beauty in other GOING TO THE SHIRES. people — perhaps because T possess so little myself — cannot refrain from admiration when I survey Dicky's smooth pink cheeks, his innocent-looking blue eyes, with their long soft curly lashes, and the pearly whito teeth, which freely peep out from beneath that small fringe of down he caresses with such manly dignity. While I gaze at him a curious feeling creeps over me, that had the Fates brought me into the world as a young woman, instead of as six feet of masculine sinew and muscle, I must inevitably have fallen desperately in love with Dicky. In short, he is such a thoroughly jyretty boy, that one is more than half inclined to pick a quarrel with Mother Nature for having, through some strange freak, made him a member of the sterner sex. He is a beautiful woman wasted. And yet, there was nothing the least girlish about his disposition. If there had been any symptoms of effeminacy, I doubt whether he would have proved so universal a favourite with his brother officers. But he had all a true man's love of sport, and either at the covert side or in the hunting field could hold his own with the best of them. Although I was his senior by two or three years, he and I had contracted a great friendship. Being by nature somewhat reserved and self-contained, the frank gaiety of Dicky's character had a powerful attraction for me. What mysterious magnetism made him return my liking I know not, since we were, at best, but an ill- assorted couple I nevertheless, two ot* three small services that on different occasions I had been able to render him, seemed quite to have secured his affections. For some time past, the dream of our life, the height of our hopes and ambition, had been to spend our long leave in the Shires. To this end we had steadily economized. And now, the regiment was ordered to India in the Spring, and desperate at the thought of having but one more season's hunting for, perhaps, many and many a year to come, we had carefully hus- banded oui- small resources and invested in a couple of i THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. Hkely-looking screws a-piece. Alas ! that we could not afford more. Whinboro', a town well-known in the annals of the chase, was the spot where, after repeated consultations, we decided to pitch our tent. Harborough and Melton were too expensive to be thought of for a moment, and necessitated a much larger stud than the limited state of our finances could stand. But Whinboro' lay in the very centre of a fine hunting country, famous for good, strong, straight-running foxes, and although not quite so fashionable as the two afore-named towns, it held its own with either of them in the matter of sport. Any- how, our choice once made, we never regretted it. The horses had been sent down the day before, and now, as we were whirled along, past the tall telegraph poles and swaying wires, Dicky and I looked forward, with all the eager anticipation of youth, to a couple of months* keen physical enjoyment. What matter that there might, and probably would be, the Devil to pay later on ? At the present moment, so dis- agreeable a contingency never entered our heads. They were filled with blissful visions of a very different nature. Huge double oxers, flying fences and acres of grass, traversed by undulating waves of ridge and furrow, danced before our eyes ; whilst if any unpleasant thought did, for a second, obtrude, it was immediately chased away by the soothing recollection of that great sale we intended holding at the end of the season. That sale which was to pay for everything. Forage, saddlery, shoeing b'Us, original outlay ! Not one single expense connected with the noble pastime of fox-hunting but what it was destined to cover. Horses that in the first 'ustance had cost forty to fifty pounds a-piece would fetch, at least, a couple of hundred, when once their performances had been made known, thanks to the witching horsemanship and surpassing audacity of Mr. Dawson and Captain Mannington. Who, in his youth, eagerness, and inexperience has pot dreamed such dreams as these ? Foolish they may GOING TO TTIK SHIRES. e, idiotic to a degree, but Hurpasaingly sweet, posses i- ing a fascination all their own ; and when the time for dreaming them tias past, and we grow old, and wise, and cold-blooded, how many are there of us who will not look back with a sigh of regret to the glowing days of our juvenile enthusiasm ? Wisdom, experience, knowledge, where are they, compared with the joyous folly of youth ? As we began to near our destination, our curiosity increased ; we craned our heads out of the windows and, struck by the beautiful prospect thus revealed, gave full vent to our admiration. " What a jolly country to be sure ! '* I exclaimed ecstatically. "Nothing but grass in every direction. By Jove ! there's hardly a ploughed field within sight." " Kipi)ing ! '* responded Dicky, laconically, but in tones of equal commendation. Then, after another prolonged gaze, he added : " I fancy though that it takes a bit of doing. Some of these fences are regular downright snorters, and, to make matters worse, I perceive that nearly all of them have ditches on OTie if not on both sides." " So much the better. No doubt it is very necessary to put on the pace in these parts, but all the same I'm longing to have a shy at the man-traps, aren't you, old chap ? " " ^y Jingo ! I should think I was,'* answered Dicky, with a keen sportsman-like look stealing into his blue eyes and making them flash. " Nevertheless, judging from first impressions. Miles, we may as well make up our minds to take a goodly number of falls, that is to say," with a slight sigh, " unless our cattle turn out considerably better than we imagine." " Well ! " said I, " we must hope for the best, and take consolation in the thought, that it is not always the highest-priced animals that prove the finest performers in the long run. Look at Velocipede, for instance, the winner of last year's Grand National. His owner picked him up out of a racing stable for five-and- thirty sovereigns, and he refused a couple of * thou ' THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. only last month. Barton told me so himself, so I know it for a fact." " Other people have a happy knack of dropping into these good things," said Dicky somewhat ruefully, " but 1 can't say that my own experience has proved par- ticularly fortunate. However, it is not likely, just at present, that I shall be able to afford to keep steeple- chasers. I do wish though that I had bought that big brown horse by Laplander, instead of the bay mare. I'm afraid she's a trifle small, and it's asking a little * un ' a bit too much to carry close upon fourteen stone over a country like this. The galloping tells upon them, with the ridge and furrow. They have not got the stride." And as he spoke, Dicky looked down with an air of disgust at his long, slim, well-proportioned limbs, as if at that moment he owed them a positive grudge. " I shouldn't wonder if she carried you better than the brown for all that," returned I. *' She's more com- pactly put together ; and although I admit she does not stand very high, she is remarkably muscular. Besides, those long, low mares are often good * uns ' to go, and get over the ground in wonderful style." " Anyhow, we will hope it may prove so in her case," said Dicky. And then we relapsed into silence for a short time, and stared out of the windows more intently than ever. That flat green country, intersected with dark lines of flying fences, was in our eyes more attractive than the most beautiful scenery on earth. Presently we rushed past a very big bottom, with a bullfinch on the near ^dde, and a good stout oxer to greet one on landing. " H'm I " said I, somewhat doubtfully, ** I suppose our * gees ' will jump all right, but when I see a place like this, it makes me feel that if we only knew some- thing about their performances, we should set to work with a little more confidence." ** It won't take us very long to find out what they are good for," responded Dicky, resolutely ; " and at any rate, old man, we'll both do our best." GOING TO THE SHIRES. " Naturally Nevertheless I admit to feeling a trifle nervous at making my dAhut in the Shires, mounted on nags that are practically untried, and probably quite green to the work, whilst a lot of strangers look on and criticize. Il makes a fellow long for a real good bit of stuff." " Of course it does, but upon my word. Miles, the word * nervous * sounds odd in your mouth." " Why mine in particular ? All people I believe 'entertain secret apprehensions, if only they were honest enough to admit them." " Very likely ; but you have been cutting out the work with the Aldershot drag-hounds, on any raw young horse lent you to ride, and in my humble opinion have displayed a disregard for life and limb that amounts almost to positive wickedness. The only excuse to be made for such recklessness is that you are not a married man." ** Come, shut up, Dicky, none of your chaff," said I, blushing like a school-girl. " As for the * lot of strangers,* " continued that young gentleman, rather rejoiced than otherwise at my con- fusion, ** we shall soon make their acquaintance. Two fine young eligibles," laughing derisively, " like you and I, are sure to be in request. That reminds me, I forgot to tell you, Barrington gave me a letter of in- troduction just before I came away, to some old squire inhabiting these parts. He said he was a capital sportsman, and what's more to the point, exceedingly hospitably inclined towards the defenders of Her Majesty's Empire." " Did Barrington mention his name by any chance ? " I enquired. " Yes. It was Austen, and moreover it apjjears the old gentleman has a very pretty niece. Barrington knows all about them. He stayed in the house once for over a fortnight, and said he was awfully well done Wines, dinner, cooking, quite first-rate." " Aha ! " I exclaimed jestingly. " So there's a pretty niece in the case, is there ? Why then, Master Dicky, 8 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. ; f the probabilities are that on the non-hunting days you will be perfectly happy, especially if the ^'oung lady has a nice little fortune of her own, invested in the Three per Cents. As she is living with her uncle, the inference is that she is an orphan, and will inherit his property. No doubt, as usual. Lieutenant Richard Dawson has only to appear on the scene of action, which being interpreted means the horizon of the fair one's girlish fancy, for it be a case of * veni, vidi, vidJ'^ " Do be quiet. Miles ! " said Dicky, colouring under the rim of his brown pot hat, but looking far from dis- pleased at the suggestion. " Why should it be always me ? The young lady might fall in love with you by way of a change, and leave me out in the cold altogether. Such a thing is far from unlikely." " Not in your estimation, old chap, but exceedingly so in mine. I am not vain enough to imagine that any girl in her senses would take a fancy to such an ugly devil as myself. No, no Dicky," turning to my companion with a smile; "women like pretty things about them, and are very apt to judge a man from the outside alone. My unfortunate outside presents no attractive features, therefore it is only fitting and right that I should retire from any compe- tition, and leave the field open to a young Adonis like yourself." 1 spoke in jest, yet with an undercurrent of sadness, for there were times when, looking at my own features in the glass, I wondered if it could be possible for them to find favom* in the eyes of any nice, genuine, true- hearted girl, such as, later on, if I married at all, I should desire to wed. As a child, my father had never been fond of me, on account of my ugliness, and with- out I hope being unduly concerned about my appear- ance, there were moments when the knowledge of its unattractiveness oppressed me, and rendered me pain- fully shy. Dicky laughed at my concluding remark. " Unluckily," said he, possibly recalling some of his past experiences, ** the modern female knows uncom- GOING TO THE SHIRES. monly well how to take care of herself. There ought to be a young man's defence association, to protect us from the onslaughts of the fair sex, the portion' 388 ones more than all. As for those with money, thej are as a rule particularly wide-awake." " And have they not a right to be so, when men talk as you are talking now, and when they are beset by innumerable dangers ? " •' What dangers ? " " Danger number one, when those who by their physical strength, social advantages, and indulgence of the laws, think it no shame to give out publicly that they scoff at love, and cannot afford to marry unless they obtain so many thousands a year." And I looked him straight in the face. Dicky reddened consciously. The dart struck home. " Dash it all ! " he exclaimed irritably. " What's a fellow to do ? He wants such a lot of things now-a-days. Horses, hunting, shooting, racing, going about, choice cigars to smoke, good dinners to eat, a hundred and one little comforts — and how the dickens is he to get them, if he has no means of his own, except by marry- ing a woman with plenty of tin ? " " I don't know, Dicky. It is too important a question to go into at the present moment, but as you seem to have solved the difficulty so conclusively in your own mind, it is both useless and unnecessary to prolong the conversation." A pause ensued of rather an awkward nature. Much as I liked my companion, there was one subject on which he and I never wholly agreed. That subject was matrimony ; his ideas and mine differing in toto. At four-and-twenty, Dicky had, to my certain know- ledge, already proposed to at least half-a-dozen girls, and whenever he came across a young lady with the reputation of being an heiress, he immediately laid himself out to pay her the most marked attention. Once, indeed, he had actually so far succeeded in his designs as to become engaged to the object of his machinations, for I cannot call them affections. But THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. when the lady's father entered into settlements, &c., he sent the unhappy suitor to the right about, taking occasion to administer a stern rebuke as to his audacity. • Dicky bore his dismissal with signal philosophy, but all these proceedings did not meet with my approval, and I was unable to tender much sympathy on the occasion. In fact, had it not been for his youth, one would have felt seriously disgusted by such conduct ; but he seemed such a perfect boy, and so innocent of any really evil intention, that it was impossible to be angry with him for long. He had a way too of laugh- ing off things, which frequently made it difficult to treat them with the gravity they deserved. Nevertheless I was not wholly deceived, and I had long since learnt, that the sentiment of which Dicky was wont to discourse so prettily as Love, really deserved no better name than that of egotistical self- interest. Possibly it was his misfortune rather than his fault that he had been a good deal spoilt in society, and petted by wcmen a dozen years older than himself, well versed in the ways — and those the worst ways — of the world. From them he had gained a low opinion ol the sex in general, calculated to do him much harm, whilst at the same time he believed himself irresistible with women. Amongst men he instinctively seemed to recognize his proper level, and therefore displayed the better side of his character. But I, as his most intimate friend, saw clearly, in spite of the affection I entertained for him,that a disposition like his, naturally easy-going, good-tempered, but essentially indolent, might under adverse conditions degenerate into becoming intolerably selfish. Therefore I took pains never wilfully, by word or deed, to countenance Dicky's heiress-hunting propensities. I considered that real good honest work would be the making of him, and luxury the absolute ruin ; as it is of many naturally well-disposed young men, who simply have not the requisite force and energy to divest themselves of its tv-jntinually increasing trammels. GOING TO THE SHIRES. 11 And, above all, I never encouraged him in talking lightly of women. I disliked hearing their various points discussed, as if they were so many yearling fillies, to be knocked down to the highest bidder ; and regarded as inferior creatures, merely brought into the world for man's individual gratification and amusement. To me it seemed that they had a higher and a diviner mission, and one that should appeal to our nobler, not our baser instincts. Perhaps I was peculiar in my views, but then I happened to be one of those fortunate men who had had the great luck to possess a really good mother. A woman so pure, so loving and unselfish, that although she had now been dead many years, her memory was quite sufficient in itself to keep alive the respect I ever entertained for a sex unto which she once belonged. For her dear sake, women were and always would be sacred in my eyes, and I reverenced them as something higher and better than myself. Therefore, it jarred terribly upon my finer feelings to hear Dicky speak of them as he often did in a dis- paraging manner. It is possible that at times they may have deserved his censure. I will not pretend to judge; only it seemed to me that we, as men, had no right to blame. We were so full of faults ourselves, and so often were the tempters. Some women there were, who, by the purity of their example, atoned for every one of their frailer sisters' errors. I think Dicky guessed by my manner that I disliked the subject now under discussion, for when he spoke again he started quite a different theme. A quarter of an hour afterwards our train glided swiftly into the neat red-brick station of Whinboro', where we descended, and, gathering our luggage together, entered a one-horse omnibus, drawn by a broken-winded old hunter, which conveyed us to the " Horse and Hound " Hotel, at which hostelry we purposed taking up our abode for the next two months. 12 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. CHAPTER II. A LEICESTERSHIRE STUD-GROOM. We were met on our arrival by a smiling, red-faced, round-waistcoated landlord, whose personal appearance yielded very direct testimony to the prosperous con- dition of the inhabitants of Whinboro'. This jolly- looking individual accorded us a most hearty welcome. Indeed, so profuse and genuine were his expressions of hospitality, that we immediately felt ourselves greatly prepossessed in his favour, as is the manner of weak humanity, whose vanity is flattered by being made much of by a comparative stranger, no matter in what station of life. Without analyzing the cause, such a reception raises a man in his own self-esteem. " Glad to see you, gentlemen," exclaimed our host in a cheery voice, whose brisk tones rang out sharply on the still air. "Always glad to see any one as is fond of hunting and takes kindly to 'osses." "Thank you," I said politely. "I presume, since you are evidently an enthusiast, that you follow the hounds yourself ? " " Used to, sir ; used to ; and many's the fine run IVe witnessed in my time, but I'm sorry to say of late years I've been obliged to give up hunting. Getting a bit too stout, you see," and he gave a regretful glance at his ample dimensions. " But all the same," he continued, rubbing his hands together with a ges- ture that betrayed however weak the flesh might be, the spirit was still keen, " it's a grand sport. There's none grander going, and we does all we can to encourage it in these parts." " Quite right, Mr. Dimblebee, quite right," rejoined Dicky, appT-ovingly. "Your sentiments do you honour, and I only wish there were more people about of your way of thinking. We should not hear so much then II' A LEICESTERSHIRE STUD-GROOM. 13 of fox-hunting being on its last legs ; or of the farmers kicking up a row and objecting to their land being ridden over." " Just so, sir ; and I won't deny as how some of the farmers ain't altogether as pleasant as they might be, but if folks would only look at things a little more from their point of view, and study the question a bit, they would see there's a many excuses to be made for them." *• No doubt," assented Dicky, with all the pretended gravity of a great authority on the subject. " And in my opinion they are a right good lot of fellows. One can easily understand a man turning a trifle crusty, when he looks on and sees his best gate smashed to atoms, and his fences more or less ruined, particularly if he do not care for the noble sport himself." ** Aye, that's exactly where it is," returned Mr. Dim- blebee with increasing animation. "And it's my belief that if gentlemen were a bit more considerate, there would be a deal less grumbling amongst the non- sporting division. Nobody as I knows on ever heard a real, honest, hunting farmer complain. As a rule the harder they rides, the less they seems to think o' their land, leastways in my humble experience." And so saying Mr. Dimblebee stuck a fat red thumb in either waistcoat pocket, and spread out his eight chubby, creasy fingers on the capacious breadths that swelled in such a noble downward curve beneath them. " Hear, hear ! " said I ; " I quite agree with all our host says, and there is no doubt about it, that we are most of us far too apt to forget we owe the greater portion of our sport to the farmers. Anyhow, without them, fox-hunting would not exist for a day, and there- fore it is the bounden duty of every true sportsman to study their interests in every possible way. And now, Mr. Dimblebee," I continued, plunging into the sub- ject that at that moment lay nearest my heart, " can you tell me anything about our horses? Did they arrive all right ? '* ! 14 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. ** Yes, sir, I b'lieve so sir, but pnrhaps if you are in no particular hurry to go to your rooms, you would like to step out into the yard and see your stud- groom/' This suggestion met with our joint approval and was acted upon without further delay. A few seconds later, Dicky and I were deep in conversation with the gentleman — for it would be a positive insult to designate him by any other name — who had had the kindness and condescension to undertake the charge of our nags during the two months' stay we proposed making in the Shires. It may as well be here stated, that Mr. Martingale was an unusually great man. No one gazing at him for the first time could have failed to have been im- pressed by the studied hauteur of his manner, the suavity of his smile and general mode of address. He gave one the idea of infinite superiority, and, judging from personal appearance alone, might have been anything from a peer of the realm, bursting with pride and blue blood, down to a fashionable jockey. In orde~ to account for the way in which two poor cavalry officers like ourselves became the employers of so great a man in his own particular profession, it may be desirable to offer a few words of explanation. Mr. Martingale's services had been pressed upon us by a friend, a well-known sportsman, who during the winter months resided in the heart of Leicestershire, but who, at the very commencement of the season, had met with so serious an accident that he was forced to go abroad to re-establish his health, and had profited by the opportunity to dispose of his entire stud, of ex- cellent, but somewhat aged, hunters. Happening to meet this friend by chance, one day in Bond Street, I informed him in course of conversation of my deter- mination to spend my long leave at Whinboro' for the purposes of fox-hunting, whereupon he immediately volunteered the loan of Mr. Martirgale. " I'll tell you what it is, old man," he said authori- tatively. " You must have a steady, responsible chap v\ A LEICESTERSHIRE STUD-OROOM. Ih at the head of your equine establishment. That's a sine qua non,* " But, my dear Cartwright," I responded with a forced and melancholy smile, " you forget that neither Dicky Dawson nor myself can muster between us sutfi- cient funds to furnish an establishment suitable for so swell a groom as a man coming from your stable must necessarily be. It's rather a come-down, looking after half-a-dozen screws, w^hen you have been accustomed to eighteen or twenty of the ^ est hunters to be bought for money." " Pooh ! no matter. There's Martingale doing no- thing at this moment but kicking his heels about in idleness, and getting into downright mischief for the want of work. Why, would you believe it, Miles ? the beggar actually had the folly and the impertiMence to come to me a short while back, and say he wanted to get Tnarried ! Married, forsooth ! (my friend was a bachelor) that shows he does not know what the deiice to be at next." And Cartwright positively snorted with disgust. 1 laughed. His indignation was truly comical. *' And did you give youv consent ? " I enquired. **No; catch me, I told him he was a fool of the first water, and after living with me for so many years, ought to know better than bother his liead about women. I bid him stick to his horses, and leave the fair sex alone. " ** Was not that a little hard, if the man's affections \n ere engaged ? " " Ha, ha ! That's capital." And my companion went off into a roar of laughter. " Martingale's affections, indeed ! Upon my word, that's the best joke I've heard for a long time." " Well, but there was no harm in his wanting to get married, was there ? " " No harm ! There was great harm. There always is when a man is ready to make a fool of himself for the sake of a woman. Anyhow, I nipped the affair in the bud, and flatter myself I have saved poor Martin- 16 IHE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. m g;il(' from life-long misery and subjeotion. To tell the t ruth, Miles, I'm fond of the fellow in my way, and don't want to lose him ; for he's the best groom out, and always manages to bring the nags round in their turn. They are never sick or sorry under his care, but he's the sort of man' that regularly goes to the dogs, unless he has a stable-full of horses to look after." " In other words," said I, with a broad smile, "he goes a-KJOurting against his master's wishes and advice." "Exactly; you'vo hit the right nail on the head. I'm glad you understand me so well ; for to my mind, between matrimony and ruin there's mighty little to choose. Directly a man saddles himself with a better- half, he loses all his freedom and independence, both of thought and action." "Which accounts for your singular bluntness of epeecb , eh ! Cartwrigbt ? " " Come, shut up. Miles. And as for Martingale, the long and short of the whole matter is this. You and I are old friends, and it would be conferring a positive favour upon me if you would keep the beggar employed whilst I am away in foreign parts, sighing for the broad pastures of Leicestershire. Let Martingale look after your horses, and I will continue to pay his weekly wages.*' This offer appeared, on reflection, too good to be refused ; especially as I did not place implicit faith in the stable management of our soldier-servants. At least, I imagined that what was good enough for Alder- shot was far from being good enough for the aristo- cratic Shires. So, partly to suit my own convenience, and partly to save the infatuated Martingale from turning Benedict, I became his temporary employer, only bargaining with Cartwrigbt that no blame should be laid at my door if the attractions of his inamorata proved stronger than those of horse-flesh. Mr. Martingale now advanced to meet us, clad in a suit of neat, dark-checked tweed, which fitted him to Mv^oh perfection, that I caught myself wondering who A LEICESTERSHIRE STUD-GROOM. of lid his tailor might be, and why the dickens Paddern m Conduit Street, whom I was in the habit of patronising, could not impart to my garments the same distinguished air of sporting refinement. Why could not my trousers be cut after that tight, horsey, and unwrinkled fashion, or did their fiiultless fit proceed entirely from the superior symmetry of Mr. Martingale's nether limbs? It was a problem to exercise a far more talented brain than mine. On his head a black billy-cock was jauntily set, tilting slightly to one side, and as to his tie and pin, they were simply irreproachable. A long yellow straw dangled from between Mr. Martingale's gently smiling lips, which occasionally closed upon it with a movement of caressing suction. A thin, aquiline nose, a pair of keen grey eyes, that flashed and sparkled beneath straight, dark, strongly- marked eyebrows, completed the portrait, and lent an aspect of shrewdness to the entire countenance. " Well, Martingale," I enquired with the eagerness of a school-boy, " how are the horses ? Are they all right?** "x.o, Captib,** he returned, in his slow, calm, well- modulated accents, " I am sorry to say they are very far from being * all righV There's two on 'em cough- ing already." Our faces lengthened perceptibly at this extremely disagreeable intelligence. I wonder if there exists on this wide earth a horse who ever went a journey by rail — no matter how short — without contriving to catch cold on the way ? No sooner does an unfortunate man go to the expense of moving his hunters, than one of two things is sure to esult. Either a long frost sets in, the very eve of his arrival in hunting quarters, or else every animal in the etttble begins sneezing, and running at the eyes and nose. It was foolish of us to expect to escape better than other people ; since out of a limited stud of half-a-dozen horses, the odds are ull in favoi«r of at least three, if I I II THK GIRL L> THE BROWN HAUIT. not more of the number, proving practically useless for the firHt: week or ten dayH. *• Hum ! " I Hiiid dolefully, feeling much an if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over my Hpine. ** That's bad newH, Martingale ; even worse than I anticipated. Have the nag.s fed pretty well since they came ? " " Sonu' of 'em has, and some of *em hasn't," was the laconic and not over-satisfactory reply. ** And which of them * hasn't' ? " I enquired, with a shade more tartness in my voice; for iMartingale's cool, and to outward appearances unconcerned, manner produced a curiously irritating effect uiion my excited nerves. It seemed to cast such a world of quiet ridi- cule on my ill-concealed anxiety. Mr. Martingale gave a sui)erciliou8 smile, thus further adding to the annoyance he had already been successful in producing. Then he very slowly and deliberately withdrew the straw from between his lips, and slightly shifting his respectfully atten'tive position to a more easy and natural one, said : " Tliat grey mare o' yourn ain't exactly the thing, Captiu. She's a fidgety, worriting beast in the stable, and a bad crib-biter into the bargain." ** A crib-biter is she ? Dear me ! I had no idea of that, or else I should have thought twice about buying her. How very vexatious ! " This remark was received by a look of ineffable pity. Martingale was evidently arriving with rapid strides at the conclusion that the depths of my ignorance were fathomless. " Them there screwt seldom do turn out satisfactory,'* he returned coolly. "And for your sake, Gaptin, 1 heartily wish you had never set eyes on the mare. She's one of those as will cast discredit on a gentleman's stable, and will give me a deal of trouble with her food. However," exerting himself by a visible effort to speak in a more cheerful vein, " we must not be evil prophets ; and it is just possible that she may" — and he laid a marked but dubious emphasis on the w^ord — *' do better than we think for. I've known many animals go bril- A MaCKHTKRSinitl': HTUD-OUOOM. It of ity. -yr |,n'8 od. ak ts ; d a ter iiantly in th«^ field, as are delioato feeders; but then — with a swift glance that seemed to look me up and down, — " they are only one day a week customers." " Delicate feeder or not, she'll have to come out oftener than that, so long as she remains in my stable," said I curtly ; for there was a nameless something about Martingale's way of speaking which to my mind savoured strongly of impertinence; and although we might be as poor as .lob, 1 had no notion of putting up with any insolence from one in his subordinate position. Sooner or later he should be made to feel that I was, and meant to be, master. " Yes, so I imagine," he returned, with what I deemed the same calm contempt. ** Howciver, I will see what I can do. I've been out this afternoon and bought some nice fresh carrots in the town, and I'll try my best to coax her ladyship with them to-night.'* There spoke the true groom, and I felt my resent- ^ment immediately begin to subside. " How about the brown and the chestnut ? Are tb.ey on the sick list also ? " I enquired with a feeling of posi- tive despair ; for when an ardent sportsman is as keen as mustard to make a start, and get to work, and at the same time owns but three horses in the world, it is a very serious thing for him to hear that one of them is out of sorts, and possesses a delicate constitution likely to unfit her for a long and tiring day's sport. "The chestnut hit his off fore-leg, coming down in the train, Captin." " The devil he did ! " " It was as big as a man's head the first thing this morning ; but I've been a- fomenting of it well with warm water, and I think the swelling is beginning to go down." "Humph! That means the best part of a week's rest, I suppose ? " " I'm afraid so, Captin. The boss ought not to come out afore Friday next, at soonest, however well he goes on.' " Deuce take it all I " I exclaimed disconsolat 20 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. "There really seems no end to my misfortunes. It strikes me, then, that I shall be reduced to making my first appearance with the Whinboro' hounds on the old brown slo)»'-coach. A remarkably lively prospect. " The animal referred to was my second charger ; and I knew from long and bitter experience that he could not gallop much faster than one could kick one's hat along. Besides which, he had an alarming habit of suddenly indulging in unetlpected genuflections, which to say the least of it, was highly disagreeable, and did not inspire his rider with anjT great degree of confidence. Necessil^y knows no law ; so I had brought him along, literally faute de mieux, but I shrank from the notion of his proving my first mount in the glorious Shires. I knew that under such circumstances it was impossible they should be glorious to me; but on the contrary, only a scene of despair and humiliation. Even at Aldershot, when riding Obadiah, I had fre- quently been hopelessly distanced, and here it was a well-known thing that hounds were bred for speed, and were given to flashing over the big, flat fields, at racing pace. For a few seconds I stood and inwardly cursed my poverty. Oh! for five hundred pounds down, wherewith to buy two or three genuine good hunters. I felt that I had it in me to " go" — ^ay, and go well too — if only I possessed the proper cattle. I had been firequently complimented on my eye to hounds, and at seven-and- twenty my nerve had not yet begun to fail me. When I charged an obstacle I went at it without any deter- ring thought of a possible fall ; but simply resolving by hook or by crook to get to the other side. If I only accomplished my purpose, I was not over-particular as to the manner in which it was done- A crash or two more or less counted as nothing ; for I had not, thank goodness, arrived at the stage when the sound of a few crackling twigs causes a man's heart to leap up into his mouth. But without decent horses, even the boldest riders INSPECTING THE STUD. 21 are non-plussed, and now, it seemed to me, the chancea were I should not only make a fool of myself, but also bring disgrace on the respected name of Mannington — a name which, although it had not figured highly amongst statesmen and politicians, had invariably shone in all annals of the chase. At that bitter moment, when I learnt my best horse was not fit to come out, I almost wished I had never been rash enough, with my slender meanu and beggarly stud, to come to Whinboro' at all ; for when one let the eye travel over the vast expanse of smooth, undulating turf, which surrounded ths little town on every side, the sight made a man there and then break the tenth commandment, and hanker sadly after that which he did not possess — namely, a stable full of good horses. CHAPTER III. INSPECTING THE STUD, to I ter- by )nly as two ank few hiS ** Come, Miles," interrupted Dicky, a trifle impatiently, " it strikes me it*s my turn to do a little questioning now, though I don't suppose I shall hear any better news than you have just done. Can you tell me," addressing Martingale, ** in what state of preservation my extremely valuable stud is ? " Martingale slightly raised his eyebrows as he listened to this facetious demand, but otherwise remained perfectly unmoved. ** I am pleased," he said, " to be able to inform you, sir, that your horses are fairly well, with the exception of your last purchase, the little mare." " And what might be the matter with her ? " said Dicky, giving vent to an audible groan. " She's running at the nose for all the world as if she was sickening for an attack of influenza." So saying, Mr. Martingale, having at length dis- burdened himself of his entire budget of evil news, 22 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HA13IT, I I toc^ a large iron key from a hole in the wall where a bricK had been displaced, and unlocking the stable- door, stood politely aside for us to enter, in order to verify, by personal inspection, the truth of his state- ments. As already explained, our stud was an absurdly limited one, but the utmost economy had not enabled us to purchase more than two new horses a-piece. These and our second chargers comprised the entire stock with which we intended beginning the campaign. No wonder then that the intelligence of nearly half this small force being temporarily disabled was regarded by both of us as a very serious calamity. In our con- fidence, and almost chilcUsh eagerness, we had never until the present moment made sufficient allowances for reasonable illness. Buy them and ride their tails oflF, then sell them for what they will fetch, had been the one idea filling our heads. Therefore Martingale's lugubrious account of the unlucky animals, which we had hitherto regarded with 80 much pride and interest, came as a shock of sobering severity. Our spirits ran down to zero, and we no longer saw everything connected with the noble sport of fox-hunting through delusive and rose-tinted orbs. The stable ii^vO which we now entered was large and well ventilated, and consisted of eight roomy loose boxes. Alas ! it went to my heart to see two of them stand - ing perfectly empty, and there and then I registered an inward vow that if ever I came into money — which, however, seemed a highly remote contingency — the very first use I should make of it would be to invest in from half-a-dozen to a dozen real good hunters. When we opened the door the grey mare so dis- paragingly spoken of by Martingale was lying down, but she struggled to her feet directly I cautiously peeped through the bars of her box, and forthwith gave one Q^ two vicious sftaps at an imaginary enemy in the air, '—■-■• , .- . ■ • ■ INSPECTING THE STUD. 23 for the with tering e no sport orbs. le and loose Itand- ttered ^hich, very from dis- lown, Lously gave In the Meanwhile Martingale signed to a stable-lad to re* move her clothing — he was too fine a gentleman to do 80 himself — and in another second the mare's slim, long body, with its greyhound-like proportions, was fully revealed to vision. ** She's nothing but a bag of skin and bone," observed Martingale discontentedly, for whatever good qualities a groom may possess, not one of the profession ever takes kindly to an animal known as a bad feeder. They can and do forgive many faults and deficiencies in their equine charges, but that most heinous one of all — a fanciful appetite that requires constant coaxing — is universally condemned. They have not a word to say in favour of a dainty ** grubber," for, to use their own oft-employed phrase, ** Such 'osses never does a man any credit." To account, however, for the grey mare's undeniably emaciated appearance, it may not be out of place for me to give a short history of her antecedents. Clean thoroughbred, by that fashionable sire Magi- cian, out of Beautiful Maid, she had originally been destined for a racing career, but proved to be deficient ' in speed when tried in good company on the flat. Consequently, as a four-year-old, she made her dihut between the flags, running under the name of The Siren*. On thisL occasion she was said to have shown con- siderable temper, but to have fenced magnificently, until within a couple of fields from home, when apparently she got blown, and refusing to make an effort, crashed through a stiff stake and bound hedge, and falling heavily on the landing side, rolled com- pletely over her unfortunate rider, who received such severe internal injuries as shortly caused his death. Owing to the above untoward accident the mare fell into disfavour, and became a marked animal in her own particular neighbourhood. Soon afterwards she was sold by public auction at a dead season of the year and fetched a mere song. Just about a month before I came to Whinboro' I m THE GIRL IN THE BKOWN HABIT. was one day lamenting my want of cash to an old friend, and saying how more and more difficult I found it to buy any sort of suitable animal at the low price I could afford — viz., from five-and-thirty to forty pounds. He listened to me for some time in silence, then, after due consideration, said : " I tell you what, old chap, if you don't mind risking your neck upon an awkward customer, I really do be- lieve I could put you in the way of buying a nag that would suit you, and might possibly turn out trumps." I assured him that my neck was altogether a minor consideration and of no consequence whatever. " All right then," he answered ; ** in that case, do you happen to remember a grey mare called 'The Siren,' who was the death of poor Bruiser Smith some two years ago ? Well, I saw that identical mare in a hansom cab only a week since." " How do you know it was her? " I enquired, a trifle sceptically. "Because she took me from my club to Victoria Station, and a real nasty one she was too in harness. I recognized her at once by a patch of dark hair she has on the left quarter. It is a very peculiar mark, and I should have known her out of a thousand. The only animal I ever remember seeing who had one ex- actly like it was the Duke of Westminster's Bend Or. Anyhow, to make quite certain, 1 took a good look at her, and said to the driver as I stepped out on to the pavement : * HuUoa, my man ! that's a pretty smart one you've got there. Is she not called The Siren ? ' ** * Yes, sir,' he replied, * though she don't go by that name now. I call her,' giving the mare a contemp- tuous flick of the whip, * the " She-Devil," and many a time have I regretted the day when I took it into my head to become her master.* " ' Why,' said I, * she's a fine, strapping, well-bred animal, whose chief fault I should say consisted in being too good for your work.* *• * I doir t know what you call " too • good " for my work,' he rejoined sulkily, *but if kicking my trap INSPECTING THE STUD. 96 old ind el adSt iter dug be- that ps." ainor e, do 'The some i in a \ trifle ictoria irness. ,ir she mark, The ne ex- nd Or. look at to the smart Hren?' y that temp- any a [nto my jll-bred Isted in for my ly trap to pieces times out of number is considered so, why then you're welcome to her, sir.' " * She's a nice mare for all that, but her right place is not between the shafts. Some horses are like some people — unfortunate from the very beginning. They get kicked and bufleted about, and nobody ever finds out what's really in them.' " * I've found out all I want to know,' growled he, * and a precious lot more too.' " Why don't you sell her then, and get something a little better suited to harness purposes ? You'll never convert a high-spirited creature like that into a good slave.' ** * Sell her ! ' said he, catching at the suggestion readily. * Why, I'd sell her to-morrow if I could find anybody flat enough to buy such a tarnation brute.' " And down went the whip, this time with increased vigour, making the mare start forwards, trembling in every limb. " * That depends very much on the figure,' said I. * What do yovi want for her ? * " ' Thirty pounds. She cost me five-and-thirty, but I'd drop a little willingly to get out of a bad bargain.' " So now, Miles," concluded my friend, •* if you are not afraid of a poor wretched dog with a bad name, there's your chance. The Siren has been knocked about a good bit, as a matter of course, and has one or two blemishes ; but for all that, her legs are like iron, she is only seven this grass, and I really think a man in your position might do a great deal worse than to buy her. Anyhow, now you know the whole story." Although I did not consider his account altogether satisfactory from every point of view, still I was captivated by the mare's pedigree and the low price asked. Beggars cannot afford to be choosers. I therefore sought out the owner, and after some slight haggling, ended by buying The Siren for the sum of eight-and- twenty sovereigns, determining to run all the risk of her turning out a vicious and absolutely worthless 26 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. I I brute. DisregardiDg her wicked eye and far too ready heels, I believed that, in spite of her being literally — as Martingale had stated — nothing but a bag of skin and bones, her breeding would tell, and when once we had become acquainted with each other's little pecu- liarities, she would carry me well to hounds. For there was a wiry look about her lean, tucked-up quarters, goose rump, and long, muscular thighs, which seemed to justify such a supposition. Poor, she was — very ; but just as hard as nails, and in my humble opinion more likely to go to the front in that condition — ay, and keep there too — than half the pampered, over-fed, over-fat hunters, constantly seen in the field. Anyhow, when I looked at The Siren, then at the sleek, podgy old charger standing in the very next box, it did not take me long to determine, in my own mind, which of the two mounts I would select as a matter of choice. As for Obadiah, I knew his merits and demerits by heart, and regret to say that the latter greatly pre- dominated over the former ; nevertheless I had brought him along, trusting that a truly merciful Providence would arrange for twisty foxes, open earths, and a catchy, indifferent scent, on the days I was forced to ride him to hounds. My last remaining horse — a chestnut — was also quite a recent purchase; and I knew even less about his performances than of The Siren's. Happening to stroll into TattersalFs yard one bitter cold afternoon, the end of December, I made the welcome discovery that horses were literally being thrown away, and therefore determined to make a bid. Golden-Drop was a strong, compact, useful-looking animal, displaying no particular quality, and I feared in but very indifferent condition ; but he was well up to fourteen stone, and had good legs, shoulders and loins. He struck me at the time as being a horse capable INSPECTINO THE STUD. 27 »ady skin e we pecu- For ed-up jvhicb 8, and front n half itantly at the xt box, 1 mind, atter of jrits by ily pre- jrougbt Evidence and a )rced to Lorse — a and I of The le bitter lade the being 'make a l-looking ll feared well up lers and capable of performing any amount of work ; and, rightly or wrongly, I regarded him as the mainstay of my estab- lishment. It was therefore all the more provoking to hear of his having met with an accident in the train, which would require several days to recover from. For a single glance at his enlarged and feverish fore-leg sufficed to show that Martingale had by no means exaggerated the injury, and that there was but little chance of Golden-Drop's taking the field before next Friday or Saturday. So I patted him on the neck, gave him a slice of carrot, which he munched with greedy approbation, and resigned myself to the in- evitable, which being interpreted meant riding old Obadiah to the meet, finding him shut up hopelessly directly hounds found and went any pace, and returning home at an early hour sick at heart, thoroughly dis- gusted with myself and with him. For nothing takes the conceit out of a man so much, I mean of course one who has the wish to " go," as to be left altogether in the rear, and see the red coats disappearing one after one over the horizon. Besides, this was not what I had looked forward to, and dreamed of almost every ni^ht of my lif» for the last six weeks ; but there, our expectations are very seldom realized in this world. Something or other nearly always intervenes to rob the actual present of half its anticipated pleasure, and happiness is only a delusive name conferred upon minor disappointments in gratitude for escaping greater ones. I knew enough of the philosophy of life to have learnt that fact. Nevertheless facts are stubborn things, and hard to swallow. Here was I now, in the Shires, going out the very next day with the celebrated Whinboro' hounds, of whose doings I had read times out of number in the "Field" and ** County Gentleman," and yet I could almost have gnashed my teeth with mortification at being obliged to put up with fat, wheezy old Obadiah. And 80 unjust, under such circumstances, are we inclined to be, that for the time being I completely. as THE CTRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. over-looked what few good qualities he possessed and thought only of the bad. How he laboured in heavy ground, how he sobbed and panted when hounds ran mat, and how, although a fairly decent fencer when not too much bustled, he had soused me into a brook of cold, gurgling water the very last time it had been my misfortune to ride him. These recollections were by no means encouraging. 1 determined to arm myself with a cutting whip, and wear a pair of spUrs with extra long rowels. Having once decided these matters in my own mind, I felt easier, and by nine o'clock, after I had eaten an excellent dinner, consisting of Julienne soup, a fried sole, roast mutton and an apple tart, was even able to discourse on the morrow's prospects with tolerable equanimity. Dicky was in a far more tranquil condition, since his best horse, an iron-grey gelding, by Lothario, was none the worse for the journey, and he therefore looked for- ward to making his first appearance with distinction, and " chaffed " me about what he termed my excessive vanity. Is it vanity, I wonder, for a man» especially when he is an absolute stranger, to like to do his very best ; or is it a justifiable, and, to a certain degree, commendable spirit of emulation, which has made England's sons what they are, and even in an enervated age like ours produces true heroes ? Anyhow, as I took one last look at the frosty stars before turning in, I resolved that on the all-eventful morrow I would do or die. - Obadiah was a sad sluggard. Well, Obadiah should be woken up as he had never been woken up before. Poor old slavey I He had carried me after a fashion through a good many runs, but it was lucky for his peace of mind on this particular evening that he was unaware of the dire persuasion and vicious reminders that were destined to be expended the following day upon his fat and innocent sides. Truly in his case might it have been said " Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.** I i' •fBBOWN HABIT.' CHAPTER IV. "brown habit.** The next morning we were up betimes, and before long were deep in the difficulties of new leathers, tight boots, and refractory bows, which somehow or other seemed to require an immense amount of tying and untying before we finally got them quite to our satisfaction. Non-sporting people are probably unaware of the almost ludicrous importance placed upon such trifling adjuncts of personal adornment by the gentlemen who frequent the chase ; but, incredible as it may appear, I have known many a good fellow produce a bad im- pression on first acquaintance, simply because his breeches did not ha]>pen to be cut after the orthodox fashion prevalent amongst the members of a particular Runt. Now-a-days, a button too much or too little, a tie suspected of being a dummy, or tops of an un- fashionable hue, are quite sufficient to damn a man. For by such things is he judged. Knowing this to be the case, Dicky and I took par- ticular pains with our toilet, bestowing many little last finishing touches upon it. For we were well aware that the tiniest defect would be noticed, and probably severely commented upon, by our comrades in the field, and we determined that even the most critical eyes should find no fault with our " get up." Fortunately, there was not any occasion to hurry, since ^e had not to make an early.start, the meet being held at the fourth milestone on the higl. road leading from Whinboro' to Littlehampton, a town of considerable commercial and political importance. We had only, as Mr. Dimblebee assured us, on questioning him regarding the route, " to follow our noses, and make no deviation either to the right or to i It ao THE oihl in the brown habit. the left," 80 that any anxiety as to finding the way wa» completely set at lest. Consequently, about twenty minutes past ten, our horses were led out from the stable, and we mounted' hem by the stone block in the yard — Martingale ^iestowing a parting rub with a chamois leather ou their glossy quarters, by way of a farewell salute. The day did not promise over well for sport ; for, though bright overhead, with a pale, clear sky, it blew a perfect hurricane, whilst the roads were still white from the over-night frost and the cold was intense. " Horrid bore, this wind," growled Dicky, making a sudden catch at his hat, which was blown clean ofiF, and dangled by the guard-string, halfway down his back, thereby destroying the smoothness of its nap for the remainder of the day. " Deuced annoying," as he vainly endeavoured with his coat sleeve to restore its former gloss. *' Hounds can't possibly run on suck an infernal day.** " It don*t look very rosy, certainly," said I, soma* what hypocritically ; for inwardly, I was by no mean# displeased at ^he boisterousness of the elements, recog- nizing that the chances of Obadiah's defeat, and con^^ sequently my own, were considerably diminished thereby. " However,'* I went on, more cheerfully, not wishing to damp Dicky'b spirits at the outset, simply because his mount was sup'^rior to mine, "there'si never any telling. Scent is a thing that nobody knows; much about, and, anyhow, the Shires are the Shires^ and even half-a-dozen flying fences in succession will seem like Paradise to us, after the trappy banks round Aldershot, to which we have recently been accustomed* So let's hope for the best." His hat and his equanimity being both re-esta* blished, Dicky was inclined to take a more sanguine view of things in general. We were riding along at a foot's pace, having any amount of time ; by-and-by, after we had cleared th» outskirts of the town, we were passed by several second horsemen, jogging lei»Hrely out to covert^ and leading " BROWN HABIT." riderless animals by their side, destined later on for the chase. After a bit, a couple of well-to-do fanners overtook us, carrying on an animated conversation as to last week's market prices. They were mounted on fat cobs, that, like their masters, seemed to know no stint in the matter of food. These were followed by a tall young man in a black coat, who gave one the im- pression of being a gentleman dealer, and by several men in pink, until at lust, as we neared our destination, the scene grew quite animated, and we felt that subtle enthusiasm steal into our veins, which the very sight of anything connected with fox hunting is wont to inspire. When we reached the meet we found hounds were just arriving, and forthwith fell into raptures over the level beauties, who certainly contrasted very favour- ably with the rough, ragged, uneven pack we had been in the habit of going out with lately. People now began to assemble from all sides ; several carriages drove up, and an interchange of salutations took place amongst those present. As I knew nobody, and nobody spoke to me, I amused myself by watching the habituSa of the Hunt, and making mental notes of various descriptions. So engrossed was I in this occupation that I lost fight of Dicky, and was only made conscious of his presence by suddenly hearing a voice close behind me say, in an eager and unusually excited undertone : " By Jove, Miles 1 look there. Isn't that an awfully pretty girl ? " I turned, and as a natural consequence of being thus addressed, stared in the wrong direction. " Where, Dicky ? I can see nobody but a fat old woman who looks several sizes too large for her habit, and has annihilated her saddle altogether. Is that your beauty, pray ? " And I glanced at a stout, forbid- ding-looking female some ten or twelve yards distant. " No, no, of course not. How stupid you are, Miles ; just as if you did not know my taste better than to insult it in such a bare-faced manner, " rrr as . THE GIRL IN TU£ BROWN UAHIT. " Where is your divinity then ? ** "Why, there; can't you see? Straight in front, standing under thai big tree, talking to an old gentle- man with a red face and white whiskers. By Jingo ! she's a regular ripper, and no mistake." Amused by Dicky's enthusiasm I looked as directed, and not without reward, for I saw what I thought then and shall always think to the end of my days — one of the very prettiest sights possible for a man to see — a sight that is stereotyped through all time upon my brain. I saw a slender young girl, whose round, fresh, rosy face wore an innocent yet withal somewhat sad expres- sion, and whose large brown eyes were as clear and honest as the day. Her cheeks wore the bloom of health, her mouth was full and sweet, showing two rows of pearly white teeth, and her figure resembled a straight young sapling in its roundness and upright- ness. And yet, just at first, my admiration was more con- centrated upon the horse than on the rider. Such a perfectly shaped animal is rarely met with, even in this country ; and to tell the truth, at that period of my existence a beautiful horse was a far more pleasing object, and one that appealed more strongly to my senses than even a beautiful woman — I hac • real pas- sion for horse-flesh. Now, the young lady to whom Dicky had directed my attention was mounted on a very dark chestnut roan, resembling in colour a famous two-year-old who had carried ofiF all the principal prizes of the season. He was clean thoroughbred, with a small blood-like head set on a slender, shapely neck. His eye was bright, prominent, and full of fire; his ears small andv mobile, his back and loins eimply perfection, and his legs as clean as a yearling's. He stood there, under the boughs of the dark old tree, arching his beautiful neck and sending the white foam-scuds flying with a backward toss of the head ; whilst every now and again he raised one broad, firm ♦•BROWN Habit/ hoof, and pnwed impatiently at the hard tuif, as if eager to begin the day's amusement. The cold morn- ing sun glinted fitfully down on his smooth coat, making it shine like satin. His full veins swelled with the generous blood flowing through them, and on his thighs and sloping shoulders the muHcles stood out like wrought-iron. To sum him up, he was the very beau-ideal of a thirteen-stone hunter; such a one as is met with but once in a lifetime, and to be prized accordingly. With covetous admiration I gazed on his fair proportions, just as a connoisseur gazes at some beautiful marble statue he fain would call his own. " Isn't she an awfully pretty girl? " reiterated Dicky, with increased emphasis. I gave a start. I had forgotten the young lady altogether. **0h! Ah, yes! I suppose so." "You nuppoae sol" ejaculated Dicky indignantly. " What a fellow you are Miles, to be sure. Don't you know ? I declare if you don't take care you'll grow . into a regular misogynist." " To tell you the truth, I was more engaged in admiring the horse than the lady. He's a beauty if you like. Just look at his quarters." '^Yes, but the rider comes first; at least, in my estimation." And Dicky cast a languishing glance in the direction of his admiration. " Well," said I, " to satisfy you I'll examine the fair one more closely, and give an honest opinion as to her good looks. Not that we generally agree on such sub- jects." I spoke coolly enough, yet as I gazed at the un- conscious object of our conversation, I felt my heart quicken curiously. Yes, she was a pretty girl, and no mistake. Trim, and smart, and natty, with her admirably-fitting brown habit, cut away in front to afford a peep of a little checked horsecloth waistcoat. So pretty, and so nice as well, if jou understand the THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. I 1 more comprehensive meaning of the word, that 8ome-« how I felt an immediate desire to make her acquaint- ance. For although there are lots of good-looking girls about, it is only now and again, at very rare intervals, you meet one who, at first sight, proves thoroughly sympathetic, and who makes you wish to see more of her. With the majority one laughs and talks, perhaps flirts, then parts ; and parts without even a heartache, so transient is the impression made. But this girl gave me the feeling that if I came to know her, I might — well, I might fall head over ears in love with her. " I must try and find out who she is," whispered Dicky, " and get introduced. A girl like that is sure to be good fun." How he spoke of women ! It made me quite angry to listen to him. Here was a sweet, fresh, honest young creature, and the highest estimate he could form of her was, that she would probably prove ** good funr I choked down my wrath, and tried to make a civil reply. " I wonder if she goes well to hounds," I said, by way of changing the conversation. " It would be a sin to waste such a horse on a roadster." That question, however, was very soon answered. In order to draw the nearest covert we had to strike across country, and a refractory gate refusing to allow itself to be opened or unhinged, it became necessary either to make a considerable detour or else to jump the fence close by. This fence was of a very fair height, with a rather nasty shelving ditch on the take off side. When they saw it a large proportion of the Field Jramediately skedaddled, some declaring energeticall} that there was no possible object in jumping, and that you should never take an unnecessary leap, others at- tributing their disinclination to negotiate the obstacle entirely to feelings of humanity. ^ The ground was very hard, you know. A horse'g 1 m.^ "BROWN HABIT." u legs were an awfully delicate piece of mechanism, and one should remember how frequently sudden jars brought on navicular and every kind of foot lameness, &c., &c." The huntsman, not unnaturally, proved impervous to all such considerations, and popped over without the least hesitation, once he was satisfied that the gate could not be opened. His strong, well-made bay horse cleared the fence like a practised hunter, jumping not an inch more than was necessary, yet never touching a twig. He landed with a grunt and a merry whisk of his short bang tail. I was close behind him, but instead of following at once, pulled up for a few seconds just to see the fun and watch how people managed these things in the Shires My surprise was intense at the number of shirkers. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I could not have believed so many ** funsticks " existed in one field. We might not have so much outward show with our Aldershot draghounds, but certainly, as far as I could judge, the young fellows who came out with them rode many degrees harder than did these fault- lessly appointed sportsmen. Of course, when I speak thus, I speak of the majority, not of the exceptional few, who cast a reflected glory upon every Hunt. Whilst thus standing, speculating as usual, I heard a slight noise, and looking round, saw the young lady in the brown habit, setting her beautiful roan at the fence. The horse was not only vt ry fresh, but also evidently a rather hot animal, requiring good hands. His rider, however, clearly thoroughly understood his impetuous and courageous nature. She would not allow him to rush, but with delicate skill restrained his too great ardour, until within a few yards of the fence. Then, she gave him his head, and he bounded over like a deer. ** Brown Habit," for, not knowing her name, so I mentally dubbed her, never moved an inch in her seat, but sat like one accustomed to jumping all her life. Now men may say what they like against ladies i-, J6 THK GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. hunting, but to my mind there are few prettier sights than to see a perfectly mounted horsewoman, who really knows how to ride, going well with hounds. Only, mark you, she must be thoroughly up in the business, and moreover ride, not as a groom or a horse-breaker, but as a lady. Loose seats, flapping reins, dangling hair, upraised hands, noisy exclamations, break the chara imme- diately. Everything must be quiet and workmanlike, yet feminine. And when, as in ** Brown Habit's " case, one meets with the requisite combination, one cannot help won- dering at, and admiring, the nerve, courage and skill with which, by a stroke of the neck, a gentle pressure of the heel, or low word of encouragement, the fair sex manage to control animals that often baffle the Lords of Creation. Doubtless such woroen as these are capable of man- aging men just as well ; but that idea does not occur to us when we see the pretty creatures, and even if it did — if we looked beneath the surface, and indulged in a little profitable introspection— who would not wil- lingly be thus lightly and lovingly led ? Of course people's opinions vary on these subjects, but for my part I like a woman of character. The pretty inanimate doll does not appeal to me. If a man marries, and has to spend all his life more or less in the company of one person, it is far better for him to link his lot with an Intelligent and capable being, rather than with a poor meek housekeeper, who has no idea beyond the daily dinner. Husband and vife should act and re-act upon each other, developing the higher not the lower and more material part of their natures. The girl in the brown habit was suggestive. She filled me with a vague longing for wife and home. I could pi'3ture her sitting by my fireside., talking tr me in a tTeet, bell-li!:e voice, soothing to masculine nerves, and for the moment it made me feel strangely dissatisfied with my soldier's life. LOVE AT FIIiST SIGHT. 37 CHAPTER V. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. When she landed in the opposite field, ** Brown Habit " pulled the roan back into a walk, and with a smile on her pretty, pleasant face, looked round to see what brave Nimrod intended following her example. Now I knew Obadiah could jump well enough if he chose, more particularly while he was fresh, and when I saw those two clear eyes fixed upon me for a second or so, as if their owner knew I was a stranger, and wnnted to see how I could perform, a mad desire seized me to got over that fence in good style. It was not because I was afraid that I had hesitated so long, but simply to satisfy my curiosity. Consequently I shortened my reins, in a vigorous grasp, and drove Obadiah at the obstacle with the greatest possible resolution. Oh! the brute! The cunning, wicked, DISAP- POINTING old brute ! ! ! He pricked his big lop ears, and seemed all over like jumping, but just in the last stride, as he looked down into the black depths of the ditch at his feet, his coward heart failed him, and stopping dead short, he tried his very best to cut it. But he had reckoned without his host. Once, twice, thrice, each time with ai'grier and more vehement persuasion, did my long rowelled spurs punish his sides, whilst again and again with merciless severity the cutting whip came dowij upon his round old quarters. He changed his feet, hesitated, then finally gave an enormous buck-jump into the air. I have been told before now that I can ride — that an awkward horse will go better with me than with most people, but truth compels me to state that on this occasion, when we '1 ' 98 TMA KJtitLh 1^ THE BROWN HABIT. landed on the other side of the fence, I was clasping Obndiah round the neck, in a friendly and endearing fashion, which was far — very far — from expressing my true sentiments towards that venerable animal. With a muttered execration at the old beast's way- wardness, I struggled back into the saddle, just in time to see ** Brown Habit " turn her head away, in order to try and conceal the broad smile overspreading her features. A quite unreasonable anger took possession of me at this sight, and I swore a solenm oath that the day should not pass by without my wreaking vengeance on Obadiah and retrieving my position in the young hidy's eyes. Honestly speaking, I do not believe myself to be extra vain ; but in the whole of this wide earth I know nothing more humiliating and disconcerting to a man's self-conceit than to be laughed at by a pretty girl. The prettier the girl, indeed, the worse the injury. Now, at that moment, I was in the irritating position of being absolutely oertain I had occasioned " Brown Habit " considerable amusement. No doubt, a real, good, worthy, unselfish fellow ought to feel gratified at contributing to the innocent enjoyment of a human being ; but then there are very few good, worthy, unselfish fellows about, and they don't appre- ciate a joke at their own expense. Leastways, such was my experience. Not one person in a hundred can so efface the uneasy inner consciousness, which perpetually comes clamour- ing to the surface, as to be impervious to the stings of ridicule. As a rule, the smallest suspicion is enough to wound a man in his tenderest place. However, we were now approaching the covert, so that my thouglits were shortly diverted from the ex- ceedingly unsuccessful negotiation of my first flying fence. Hounds were put in, and soon began to scatter and pick their way through the thick undergrowth of the wood. A few minutes' silence — then came a slight ■i LOVK AT FIRST SIGHT. 39 whimper, followed by a joyous proclamation that Pug was at heme. But the wood was large, and Reynard seemingly loth to quit its friendly shelter and face the high wind outr- side. So by degrees the glad notes died awny to a fitful whine, and nearly twenty minutes elapsed before hounds again recovered the scent and gave tongue. Meantime, the day did not improve, becoming more and more boisterous and inclement. Horses' coats were staring, and their bodies trembling, from the cold, sus- pense, and excitement combined. Obadiah, as if matters were not already bad enough, began a series of convulsive kicks, of a very unpleasant and unseat- ing nature. He was never very partial to standing about at covert side, so, wishing to quiet him down a bit, I looked around in the hopes of spying a snug corner, sheltered from the icy wind, and was fortunate, by opening a bridle-gate, slightly removed from the crowd, to find one a little way inside the wood. I congratulated myself on the move, for it was many degrees warmer u ler t^e trees; and my hands and feet had already lost nearly all sensation. I had not stood there many minutes, however, before I heard footsteps approaching, and presently a cheery bass said : ** Nell, are you not almost frozen to death ? " " Veiy nearly, uncle," came the reply. " We want a gallop badly, to put a little warmth into man and beast. But I'm afraid hounds won't do much to-day. They never can face such a wind, and it's been blowing hard all night." I looked up, and saw the young lady I so much admired, accompanied by the same rosy-faced, white- whiskered old gentleman to whom she had been talk- ing at the meet. Now, I believe a voice to be a wonderful index of character. It tells a great many tales ; and this girl's voice was like herself — charming. It possessed no gruff, guttural notes, or shrill intona- tions, such as are common to so many of the sex ; but /; 40 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. it was sweet and smooth, and clear as a bell. Having once listened to its melodious utterances, I longed to hear them again. The couple took up a position quite close to my own, so close, indeed, that I could not help noticing how soft and sad her face was in repose ; and how, when- ever she was not speaking, a dreamy expression stole into the large hazel eyes, that, somehow, made my heart grow big. To me, she looked like one who, despite her extreme youth, had known some bitter sorrow, which warred with the natural frank gaiety of her nature. And, thus thinking, she became more than ever an object of interest in my eyes. The majority of people never seem to me to dive beneath the surface ; they take their fellow-creatures as they find them, and judge them by outward appearances alone. They do not think of the busy, inner life, the seething mass of thought, and doubt and hope, which forms quite a world apart. I always feel as if I must probe into it, and compare the experience of other folks with my own. This girl had a history. I longed to know it, not from motives of curiosity, but so as to understand her nature better. I do not think her good looks alone inspired me with this desire and sympathetic interest, for if one took her to pieces she was by no means strictly beauti- ful ; but there was something so fresh, so natural, and attractive about her whole appearance, that one quite forgot whether her features were classical or not. At least this was how she affected me, and I believe verv strongly in first impressions. " Nell," said the old gentleman, speaking again in tones of tender authority, for it was clear she was the apple of his eye, " I won't have you riding so hard as you have been doing lately. Do you hear me, child ? " ** Yes, uncle." " You'll be coming to desperate grief if you go flying over all these great big dangerous fences. I cannot bear it, Nell. It makes me tremble for your safety." *' I'll try and be careful," she said softly, " only when LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. 41 ut so as to hounds run hard the temptation to follow is bo enor- mous." "Well, there won't be much temptation to-day, I take it. "When they break covert, stick to me, Nell, for the going is far from good, and you might meet with an accident." She laughed, a little silvery laugh. It betrayed that io some th-ings she had a will of her own. ** You forget, uncle, that it is not always so easy in a crowd to keep with one particular person. You men," and she gave a dainty shrug of her shapely shoulders, " are all so horribly alike. It's as much as one can do to tell one from the other." " That's flattering to our individuality, Nell." ** Well, you have all red coats, and white leathers and tall hats, and most of you broad backs. You really require some distinguishing mark, by which you can be recognized. Then, perhaps, when hounds run, I should not have so much difficulty in finding you.'* " Ah ! you puss ! " said he, with an indulgent smile. " That's your way of geting out of it. Pretending you don't know your own uncle, indeed ! " "I should know you anywhere," she rejoined with charming feminine inconsistency. "The real fact of the matter is, you disdain my steady riding, and like most young people must always be careering at the very tail of the hounds." " I prefer to be there certainly," said Nell demurely. « That is if I can." " Well, well, child, it's no good arguing with you. * A wilful woman maun have her way,' in this, as in every other thing. But Nell, darling, do be a bit careful, for really and truly the frost has made the ground very slippery in parts." She smiled up into his face, -nd I could tell what a close affection subsisted between them. " Very well," she said. " I'll try to remember, only you would not like to see me be a disgrace to Sweet- heart." And she leant forward, and patted the roan's dark beautiful neck, whilst the horse, knowing the it ^x 42 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT, jouiid of her voice, turned round his intelligent head and rubbed it affectionately against her habit-skirt. I was so taken up with watching her every movement, that I was quite startled when a loud " Gone forward aw-a-ay" proclaimed the welcome fact that at last Upynard had taken to his heels. Immediately we scurried back through the bridle- gate by which we had entered the wood, I holding it open for Nell to pass through. She rewarded me by a little gracious inclination of the head, and a sw;**^\v uttered *• Thank you." Then I made haste to folk w, and as good luck would have it found the fox had broken covert close by, and the hounds were already streaming away in his wake. I clapped spurs into Obadiah, and for a few yards Nell and I rode almost abreast, but the chestnut-roan's superior speed soon told, and he quickly forged ahead. Nevertheless I kept my eyes steadily fixed on his rider's slender figure, as it rose and fell over the ridge and furrow. What had come to me I did not know, for I was actually thinking more of a woman than of the hunting. Such a thing had never happened in my life before, and it occasioned me considerable uneasiness. I wondered if I was losing my nerve, growing old, get- ting less keen, or — I blushed at the very thought — falling in love at first sight. One had read of such a thing, although) until now, I had never actually believed in it. • But the fun was increasing. A fence loomed ahead. Nell flew it like a bird. I followed at a respectful distance, which, alas ! grew steadily greater. Another and another fence ! My blood became heated. I began to warm to the work, and fixed my eyes no longer on that graceful female figure riding so well and boldly, but on the leading hounds. It behoved me with Obadiah to watch their movements narrowly. We had not galloped six fields, and already I felt he could not go the pace. Unless I took advantage of every turn, ■con, very soon, I should be left in the rear. Fortunately the weather told in mv favour. No iW*; •Jil^'. i: LOVK At i-lRSf BiQlVf. 4S hounds could run far in such a wind. Before another five minutes were over, up went their noses, and they came to a sudden halt. They had got away so close to their fox, that it was clear there could not be an atom of scent. The huntsman let them try to puzzle it out, but after a bit, finding they could make nothing of it, he made a forward cast, and to the general surprise, hit off the line. A very unnegotiable-looking fence now presented itself to ( ur vision. A thick, impenetrable bullfinch, some six feet high, with a huge ash rail on the near side, barred our onward way. The only available spot was where a gap occurred in the fence, but a stiff flight of rails of unusual height had been recently fixed, to make good the deficiency. ■ These rails were of such an exceedingly uncompro- mising nature, that even the huntsman pulled up his horse, and took a hasty glance right and left, to see if no other mode of egress could be found. Now Obadiah had one merit. He was a fine timber- jumper, and the short gallop had done him good, and put him on his mettle. Just for the moment, too, the hounds looked as if they might run, and under such circumstances I was never accustomed to wait long. Therefore, I crammed my hat on my head, and rode at the rails, determining to get to the other side aome- how. 1 should have been ashamed to owu even to myself, that the close proximity of Nell goaded me on to feats of valour, and made me hail with joy an op- portunity of vindicating my horsemanship. The old horse cantered leisurely up to the timber, broke into a trot in the kst few strides, surveyed the obstacle inquisitively during one awful moment, which made my heart go into my mouth, then gathered him- self together, sprang into the air, gave a tremendous twist to his hind quarters, struck the top rail hard, but to my intense relief landed safely on the other side, with nothing more than a pretty considerable peck. The huntsman immediately followed, and got over by the skin of his teeth. iH 44 THE QIltL IN THE BROWN HABIT. Then, to my horror, I saw Nell take her horse by the head, and go at the rails. I made so absolutely certain that the result would be a bad fall, as her uncle had predicted, that I palled up in order, in case of emergency, to be able to ofier the necessary assistance. I recalled all my praise of ladies in the hunting-held, and remembered only the danger. How their soft flesh might be bruised, their delicate limbs broken, and their pretty faces disfigured for life. But had I known the full excellence of Sweetheart I need have entertained no apprehensions. Such a fencer I had never seen in all my days ! He took off a yard before he came to the timber, and I almost shut my eyes with a sick feeling stealing over me, as I said to myself, " now for a crash," but he never even touched it. He cleared the topmost rail with ridiculous ease, and landed far into the opposite field, as if neither height nor width offered any difficulties to him. I could not refrain from an exclamation of admiration. f< * Nell heard it and smiled. She knew the horse had done well — ay, and herself too. " Oh, you beauty ! " she said in tones of loving pride, as she galloped by. Needless to say, the remark was addressed to Sweetheart, not me. But after all, it appeared that we had risked our necks unnecessarily. Hounds could make nothing whatever of the scent, and a long delay ensued, during which we bold — or perhaps it would be more correct to say rash — people found a gate, and joined the rest of the Field, who doubtless looked down on the unneces- sary ardour we had exhibited. So time passed away and the sport continued of a poor description. Nevertheless Dicky and I thoroughly enjoyed our- selves. To begin with, the country was new to us, and we were unused to the delightful sensation of riding over grass ; and secondly, although we saw nothing approaching to a decent run, we had plenty of jump- ing, which for the present amply satisfied our aspira- tions. LOVE AT FlliST SIGHT. 45 We realized that we were feeling our way, and on the whole— taking our indifferent cattle into considera- tion — preferred doing so cautiously, rather than being precipitated without due preparation into all the glories of a clinking forty nnnutes in the celebrated Shires. If I were to 8i)eak the honest truth I should confess, as I rode home, to being very well satisfied with the day; for quite apart from anything to do with the spcrt, I entertained a pleasing conviction that I had retrieved my j)osition in Nell's eyes. Why I should think of that young person at all, or care for her good opinion, was a problem, however, that puzzled me not a little. Neither could I account for the feeling of irritation which took possession of me as I listened to Dicky's glowing praises of the young lady. He really said nothing with which in my heart of hearts I did not wholly agree, and yet it annoyed me, knowing him as I did, to hear his profuse eulogy. All of which proves that I was in a very unreasonable frame of mind. " Deuced pretty girl," reiterated Dicky, for about the hundredth time. " Just about as pretty a girl as ever I set eyes on." "Exactly," I said sarcastically, "And if only she has money, no doubt you will go in for her, after your usual style, eh ? " Dicky's blue eyes opened wide, and looked me inno- cently in the face. " Well, upon my wc>rd," he said coolly, " I believe T might do worse ; but I'll find out iirst from Mr. Dimble- bee who she is, and what her prospects are ; it's as well to have these things cut and dried before making a start." " She's sure to take you, of course ? She*ll jump at the chance no doubt ? " satirically. " More improbable things have happened before now," answered Dicky in all good faith. " Tut ! " I responded, venting my ill-humour on Oba- diah's side. " You're a regular man of business you I I THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. j^ are. It's a pity to see such a cool, calculating head thrown away." ** I don't intend that it should be thrown away, old boy. I'm only waiting an opportunity." " Very well," said I, now thoroughly roused. " You think that girl will have you if you ask her, and I tell you she won't." " Why not ? " enquired Dicky, with mild astonish- ment. " Because, although I know nothing whatever about her, and she's as complete a stranger to me as to you, I tell you she's a thousand times too good for Lieu- tenant Kichard Dawson, who would propose to any young woman with sufficient money. There now." v And I looked him fiercely in the face, almost wishing to provoke a quarrel. Dicky drew himself up in his saddle. He was hugely offended, for I question much whether he considered any girl could be too good for hitn. " What rot you're talking, Miles," he said irritably. " I don't know what the devil's the matter with you this afternoon, but you are most deuced uncivil Any- how," and an ugly look crossed his handsome face, " after your very kind and flattering remarks, I shall make a point" emphasizing the word, " of paying the most marked attentions to Miss Brown Habit." I bit off the end of my cigar in disgust. During all the years I had known Dicky, I had never oome so near hating him as at that moment. CHAPTER VI. MR. DIMBLEBEE GROWS GARRULOUS. That same evening, after we had done full justice to an excellent repast, we determined to inaugurate our first day's hunting in the Shires by calling for a bottle of our host's old port, a wine he had specially recom- MR. DIMBLEBEK GROWS GARRULOUS. 47 mended to our attention as being something very out- of-the-way good. Mr. Dimbiebee, when the order was delivered, appeared in person with the precious liquid, which he placed upon the polished mahogany table, eyeing it meanwhile with a tender pride. "There, gentlemen," he said, "a man oughtn't to praise his own goods, but though I says it as shouldn't, a finer wine nor that is not to be easily found." Dicky forthwith proceeded to pour himself out a glass, then raising it to the light he allowed a few Jrops to gently rest upon his palate, after the orthodox Fashion in vogue amongst critics, who at any rate pretend to great knowledge. " First rate," he said at length, with an approving smack of the nether lip, " quite first rate. I don't know when I have tasted a wine so full of bouquet. But come, Mr. Dimbiebee," he continued, smiling hospitably at that gentleman, " if you are not in a hurry, pray sit down and help Captain Mannington and myself to buzz the bottle." I did not second this invitation, wondering, indeed, why Dicky gave it ; but my ignorance was soon destined to be enlightened. He generally had some ulterior purpose in view, and had I been half sharp I might have guessed what it was. Mr. Dimbiebee, however, was nothing loth, and evidently did not require much pressing. " You are very good, sir," he responded with alacrity, ** and since you are so kind, I'll just take one glass in order to drink to your continued health." So saying, he seated himself upon the edge of the nearest chair, where he remained poised with manifest discomfort. But Dicky was conversationally inclined, and took no notice of the physical uneasiness inflicted by a sharp- rimmed cane chair on a soft stout body. ** Grot plenty of that stuff in your cellar, Mr, Dimbie- bee?* he enquired blandly. ilillll /( id THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. " Plenty, sir, I*m glad to say. I bought thirty dozen of it at the sale which took place last year of all poor Mr. Stainforth's effects." "Eeally? And why did Mr. Stainforth part with such wine as this ? " "Necessity, Mr. Dawson, necessity. He was very extravagant, and ran through his entire fortune in something under three years." " Ah ! that was rather quick work. Rather quicker than usual. The Jews will generally help one along the road to ruin at a somewhat slower rate." " Just so," said Mr. Dimblebee, with a quiet chuckle. " But Mr. Stainforth, he was an uncommon free, nice young gentleman, and went the pace tremendously." "The poor devil had to sell up, I suppose? The old, old story. Good fellow, large heart, hand always in pocket, no end of a smash, eh ^ " " Exactly," returned Mr. DimblebeGj looking at Dicky not without a certain amount of admiiation. " I see you know all about it, sir.** ** In a very small way — only in a very small way," said he apologetically. " But how about this wine ^ I'm interested to hear how it came into your posses- sion." " W hy, sir, Mr. Stainforth at last was forced to part with pretty well everything he had in the world in order to satisfy his creditors' demands. And so, when he sold, I bought all I could lay hanus on — all, that is to say, of his famous old port. One don't pick up such wine as this without some unusual opportunity present- ing of itself.'* "No, it's not to be got in the market,'* assented Dicky, taking another sip. " And now, Mr. Dimble- bee," he continued confidentially, " I want you to tell me something about the people we met out hunting to-day. There is one young lady in particular who has excited not only my admiration, but, what goes for a great deal more, also that of my friend." And Dicky cast a sly glance at me, which I received with an impenetrable front. MR. DIMBLEBEE GSOWS GARRULOUS. 49 »es ior a ** Indeed, sir," said Dimblebec seriously, *• I shall be very happy to give you every information in my power." " Be quiet, Dicky," I interrupted, beginning to see which way the land lay, " and don't display your natural inquisitiveness in our host's presence." But that diplomatic young gentleman was not to be 80 silenced. He had invited the worthy and un- saspicious Dimblebee into our sitting-room for the express purpose of " drawing " him on the subject at present exercising his (Dicky's) mind, and he was not to be diverted from his intention by any mild remon- strances on my part. On the contrary, I believe they only goaded him on to fresh enquiries. " I tried to find out who she was," proceeded Dicky, quite serenely, " but nobody would take compassion on a poor stranger out in the hunting-field and relieve his curiosity. By the way, it strikes me, Mr. Dimblebee, that your good people here are not over and above sociable ; at least, I did not find them so to-day." ** Well, you see, Mr. Dawson, they requires a little knowing. They don't jump at a per .son at the first go- off, so to speak." " No, that they certainly don't ; I can answer for that," responded Dicky, a trifle irately, for, as before stated, he was accustomed to be well received, especially by the fair sex. " However, I've no doubt you can tell me what I wish to know." Mr. Dimblebee blinked his eyes and 'looked flattered by the assumption. " I'll try, sir," he murmured benevolently. « Well," said Dicky, « I want to find out who a certain young lady is, who rides a beautiful dark chest- nut-roan horse. She goes like ' bird, and is chaperoned by a nice-looking old gentlemaii ..no can't keep up with her, try what he will." " Ah ! " exclaimed Mr. Dimblebee, with a smile of mingled pride and satisfaction overspreading all bis features. " I don't wonder you want to know who sha is. Whv, that's Miss Nell." !!lili 60 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. ** Oh ! Miss Nell, is it ? And who pray might she be?" " Miss Fitzgerald, I mean ; Mr. Austen's niece. But she has grown up among us from her childhood, and somehow we have all got into the way of calling her Miss Nell; just as if she belonged to us like." " Phew ! " exclaimed Dicky, giving a long, low, comprehensive whistle. " So she's Mr. Austen's niece, is she ? ^^^ly, Miles," turning to me, " that's the name of the old giBTitleman to whom Barrington gave us a letter of introduction." ** Really ! " I observed coolly, for I felt little or no surprise at the intelligence, having indeed partially guessed it some hours previously. ** Miss Fitzgerald is an uncommonly pretty girl, Mr. Dimblebee," quoth Dicky, in accents of strong approval. " She is that," returned he, evidently well pleased at hearing the young lady praised. " And moreover, she is just as good as she is pretty, which is saying a great deal as times go. I do not believe there is a creature for miles around who does not know and love Miss Nell, bless her dear heart ! Why, the very sight of her pretty face is enough to do a man good." Dimblebee's sincere admiration for Miss Fitzgerald pleased me greatly, for it seemed to confirm my o\*n first impressions, and to justify the sensations she had called forth in one not usually so easily stirred by womankind. " She knows how to ride at any rate," I observed, with all the carelessness at my command. ** It did not take me two minutes to find that out." " Kide ! " exclaimed our host, warming into sudden enthusiasm. "I should think she could. There's not another lady in these parts as can touch her across a country. She beats 'em all, out and out." "I don't suppose, however, that there are many other ladies so well mounted." •* Perhaps not, Captain Mannington. The roan's a real beauty, and I won't deny but what there's a deal in the animal, but, still, not alU You start Miss Neli MB. DIMBLEBEE GROWS GARRULOUS. 51 US niece. and any other woman, fair and square on the same terms, and I'll back her to get the best of it." " Does Miss Fitzgerald always live with her uncle ? " enquired Di ?'.y, now boldly leading up to those probing questions, which, for some little time past, I had both anticipated and dreaded. ** Yes, sir, mostly," answered Mr. Dimblebee. " Her father and mother have been dead some years, and left her a very fine fortune, I believe ; leastways, so people say." Dicky's countenance assumed a highly animated appearance. " Oh, indeed ! " he exclaimed. ** Have you any idea of the amount ? " " I don't exactly know, sir ; but I've heard tell as how it was not far off three or four thousand a year." ** Pretty good, that, for a single young lady. I suppose, at her uncle's death, she will inherit the greater part of his property ? " How these horrible, interested questions of Dicky's jarred upon my sense of what was gentlemanly. I longed to put a stop to the conversation, or else ram my fingers into my ears. I could do neither. But I vowed to pay Dicky oil*, some day. "Yes, sir, I believe so," replied Mr. Dimblebee. ** Report has it that Miss Fitzgerald will be one of the richest heiresses in the country, when Mr. Austen dies. He owns a great deal of land in these parts." " He's not an old man, though, not over sixty-five, I should say,'* observed Dicky, reflectively. " Sixty-three next June," put in Dimblebee. " Ah ! exactly. And he might marry," suggested Dicky, with an odious, calculating prevision as to pos- sible contiLgencies, " No, sir, I think not," said Dimblebee, firmly. " Mr. Austen's very unfortunately situated at the present moment," " How so, poo** old chap ? " « Why, you see, sir, he has a wife already." •'Ahl that's against it certainly. But in this case, 4—2 oS THE GIRL m THE BROWN HAUIT. iiijiii I! /, V surely he will leave his money, or the greater part oJ it, to the widow ? " " People say not, sir. You see, Mrs. Austen has been out of her mind for many years past, and is obliged to be shut up in a mad-house. They had an only child, a boy, and he was killed by an accident, and she lost her reason in consequence." " Poor thing I That was very sad," said I. " Yes, Captain Mannington, it was ; and Mrs. Austen, she never recovered from the shock. She had gone to the station to meet her boy coming home for his holidays, and then the news came that there had been a terrible smash on the line, and he was amongst the killed. She never saw him alive again, only the dead, mangled body; and she fainted clean away, there and then, and has had to be kept under super- vision ever since. They say that, even now, her screams are something piteous ; and it takes two men to hold !aer down, when the fit comes on, and she fancies her boy is in danger. Poor lady ! " And Mr. Dimblebee brushed his hand hastily across his honest old eyes, and I liked him all the better for the action, since it showed that he possessed a kind ftnd feeling heart. ** Mrs. Austen does not live with her husband, then ? " asked Dicky. " No, he goes to see her, every now and again ; but she is obliged to be kept shut up ; consequently, when Mr. Fitzgerald died some fifteen years ago. Miss Nell came to pcay with Mr. Austen, and now she is like a second, child to him. Indeed, I question if he could be much fonder of her, even if she were really his own." " And what will the old fellow do, supposing Miss Nell gets married ? " remarked Dicky, with an odd sort of self-satisfied smile curling the corners of his hand- some mouth ; and I felt, when I saw it, as if I could have punched his head. «* Ah ! there was some talk of that, about two years ago," replied Mr. Dimblebee, who, under the influence Ml MK. DISIBLKBEE GROWS GARRULOUS. of another glass of the old port, was growing exceed- ingly loquacious and communicative. " Well, and what happened ? " sad Dicky eagerly, "Nothing, sir. It came to nothing," answered Dimblehee, with a mysterious shake of the head, which seemed to say, he knew a great deal, if only he chose to tell it. " Nothing ! How was that ? Did the parties quarrel about settlements ? '* " Well, to tell the truth, sir, they kept the matter very close ; and as it was Mr. Austen's wish that the affair should not be talked about, it is not for me to do so now. But, I may say as how the gentleman behaved like a blackguard, and every one was very sorry for Miss Nell. It well-nigh broke her heart." " Pooh ! " exclaimed Dicky, sceptically. " Pretty girls and broken hearts have nothing whatever to do in common. There are always plenty of people about, ready and willing to repair the damaged article." And he twirled the short ends of his fair moustache caress- ingly, as much as to say, here was an Adonis, at any rate, equal to the occasion of consoling sweet, love- afflicted damsels. I could endure this conversation no longer. It was intensely distasteful to me, and I felt my temper momentarily rising. "Come, Dicky," I said peremptorily, with all the authority of a senior officer, " you must not detain Mr. Dimblebee any longer. You forget that he is not an idle man, but has business of his own to attend to, and cannot afford to sit here chattering to you about Miss Fitzgerald and her uncle." To do our host justice, he took my somewhat broad hint with a readiness for which I had hardly given him credit. " Quite right. Captain Mannington," he said rising from his chair, and displaying a tact that many of his superiors might have copied. "Quite right; and I humbly beg pardon for intruding so long; but my oolish old tongue has a bad habit of running away i iii i ! ii I M THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT, iivith me at times, and that strong port makes a man talkative before he knows what he's about. Good- night, gentlemen, good-night.** And, so saying, the worthy Dimblebee bowed him- self out at the door, and disappeared, to be seen no more until the following day. ** Why the dicken? did you send the old fellow away, Miles ? " said Dicky, irritably, as soon as we were once more alone together. "I thought he had been here long enough.** « Very provoking," went on Dicky, still in the same injured tone. " Just, too, when the strings of Mr. Dimblebee's tongue were becoming beautifully un- loosened, and I was getting at everything I wanted to know.'* " Do you really wish to hear my reason for asking him to depart ? ** And, as I spoke, I looked Dicky full in the face. " Yes ; I can*t make you out at all. You're so deuced cross.** " Cross, am 1 ? Perhaps you will think it still more cross, if I tell you, that I consider it a mean, ungentle- manly thing, for a man to worm information out of a common inn-keeper, respecting the young lady to whom he has signified — to a third party — his intention of paying his addresses.^ Either you like Miss Fitzgerald, Dicky, or you do not. But as to finding out before- hand all about her money, the exact amount of her yearly income, and general prospects oi inheritance, I tell you to your face that such conduct disgusts me, and I will be no party to your mercenary proceedings, or sanction them in any way. Therefore I took it upon myself to dismiss Mr. Dimblebee." And I made several strides up and down the room, in the vain hope of calming my indignation. Dicky, as he listened to the above speech, turned red with anger. " What an infernal ass you are, Miles," he retorted in far from friendly tones. ** Possibly. I don*t pretend to being over-burdened MK. DIMBLBBEE GROWS GARRULOUS. 66 with brains, but I know what's right, and how a geatle- man ought to behave." " Do you mean to infer by those words that I am not one ? " " I infer nothing. I merely state a fact. If it dis- turbs your conscience, I am not responsible for the result.** Then, by a strong effort at self-control, I added, in a quieter voice, feeling too that perhaps I was a little hard upon him, and ought not to have testified my disapproval quite so forcibly : ** Come, come, Dicky, dop't let us quarrel, there's a good fellow. We have long since agreed to disagree about the fair sex ; so, for the sake of harmony, let us drop the subject under discussion, and think no more this evening of Miss Fitzgerald, and Miss Fitzgerald's fortune. If I have hurt your feelings, I apologize. All I meant to say, was, that surely such a girl is worthy to be loved for her own sake alone, without first going through a vast amount of mental arithmetic," ** Of course," acquiesced Dicky. ** Nobody ever said the contrary." **Well, you seemed to imply a certain doubt, at least, judging by your minute and searching questions, as to the L. S. D. part of the business. You are a first- rate chap, Dicky — in some ways, none better — but somehow or other, there is one curious defect in your composition." « Indeed ! And what might that be ? " ** A sad deficiency of anything approaching to senti- ment. You require a little romance.'* Dicky tumed a smiling countenance full upon mine ; for to do him justice, his ill-humours were, as a rule, of very short duration, and quickly chased away by a soft word or two. "And you," he said, with a twinkle in his eye, " possess a great deal too much of it. You do your best to appear a regular dry old fossil, but it's no go. Nature will out, and the flame will be all the fiercer for having been smothered so long." ~ 66 tHE GIRL IK THE BROWN IJABW. « m 'I ii The tell-tale colour rushed to my brow. " Too much romance, Dicky ! Why, what nonsense youVe talking. Nobody has ever accused me of such a thing in my life until now." He gave a light laugh. " Poor old innocent woman-defender. Does it follow on that account that the accusation is not true ? What would people say, I wonder, if the severe, the virtuous, the well-principled and highly moral Captain Manning- ton fell desperately in love with a young lady, said to be one of the richest heiresses in the land. How about mercenariness, interested motives, &c., then? Ha, ha, ha ! " And Dicky gave free vent to his mirth. I pretended to treat hif, speculations with scorn ; but, nevertheless, they left a sting behind them. What would the world say, truly, if I, who had held my head so high, and constantly rebuked my brother officer for his calculating and money-seeking propensi- ties, ended by foUowinjer in his very footsteps ? The idea was so unpleasant and humiliating, that it ker t me awake the greater part of the night. When at last, towards morning, I fell into an agitated slumber, I dreamt strange dreams that literally seemed to turn my head, and deprive it of all powers of reasoning. I dreamt I saw Nellie Fitzgerald, clad in white satin, with a wreath of orange blossoms on her dainty head, sitting siren-like at the foot of my bed, holding out both her little pink palm? entreatingly towards me, whilst Sweetheart pawed impatiently at the clothes, and tried incessantly to prevent our coming together. Then the scene changed, and Dicky was holding her down in a dark, deep lake. I could see her sinking, and sinking and sinking. A cruel light shone on bis boyish face. I tried to save her, but some invisible force held me back. I strained and fought — all to no purpose. She disappeared, whilst I gazed in agony, and Dicky turned, and smiled upon me a smile of cold triumph. Then in my rage I seized him by the throat. AN OFF DAY. 69 uttering meanwhile a desperate cry, and — awoke to find myself bathed in perspiration and trembling like a child in every limb. CHAPTER VIL AN OFF DAY. The Whinboro' hounds did not go out on the following day, and although by training to covert we might have gone with a distant pack, we had not horses sufficient to hunt more than four or at most five times a week. Therefore the morning was devoted to letter writing, and newspapers, and tlie perusal of Whyte-Melville's celebrated novel " Market Harborough." After lunch we both came to the conclusion that some exercise was absolutely indispensable, and consequently resolved to take a long walk into the country, and so obtain an appetite for dinner. " How about leaving Barrington's letter of introduction on Mr. Austen ? " suggested Dicky ; " it will give us an object for a constitutional, if nothing more ; and I detest walking for walking's sake." •* All right,** I assented. ** We may as well call there, sooner as later, and if you are willing so am I.'* Therefore, after having first ascertained from Mr. Dimblebee that Cattington Towers — the name of Mr. Austen*8 abode — was about four miles distant from Whinboro', we started along the high road, at a good brisk pace. Although not so cold as on the previous day, there was still a touch of frost in the air, which made the atmosphere feel keen and invigorating. As we trudged steadily on, we eyed each fence in suc- cession with tnie fox-hunter's observation, and discussed the manner how, if called upon, we should endeavour to negotiate the various obstacles that presented them* selves to our notice. THE GIRL nf THE BROWN HAniT. i! nil Thus time passed pleasantly and swiftly away. So swiftly indeed that wc V7cte qaite surprised when we pulled up before a pretty ivy-grown lodge which guarded a fine gate, made of wrought iron, of very imposing appearance, and which, f^om its curious workmanship and solid proportions, evidently dated back to a remote period. This gate opened int^ a noble drive, bordered on either side by grand old trees, whose naked branches even at this season of the year met overhead, and formed a thick tracery of interlacing twigs, through which the pale wintry sky peeped coldly clear. After we had proceeded a couple of hundred yards or ■o, a sudden bend in the road revealed the house — a huge grey structure, of quaint and irregular archi- tecture. It stood on an eminence, overlooking a large park, on whose green slopes browsed a herd of stately deer, who raised their pretty heads, sniffed the air, and walked calmly away, as we approached. " By Jove ! what a ripping place ! " exclaimed Dicky approvingly. ** I had no idea Mr. Austen was half such a swell. Miss Fitzgerald will indeed be a lucky young woman if she comes in for all this." And so saying he gave an energetic pull at the door bell, which after an interval, in accordance with the dignity of his appearance, was presently opened by a tall, white-powdered, silk-calved footman, who favoured us to a stony stare. To Dicky's intense vexation, he was informed on enquiry that Mr. Austen and his niece were neither of them at home. He had therefore to content himself with leaving our cards, and the letter of introductioi) given him by Barrington. *^ Awful nuisance their being out,** he said discon- tentedly, as we retraced our footsteps. " ^Somehow or other I made quite sure we should find them in.*' And so also had I. As we walked away, I confess to a feeling of disap- pointment, much greater than the occasion seemed to warrant. I had imagined how pleasant it would be to 1" i' AN orF DAY. 69 find oneself ushered into a warm, comfortable, prettily- furnished room, with Nell presiding at the tea-table, graciously supplying our wants, and perhaps even bringing us our cups with her own fair hands. I had pictured how, loth to leave, we would linger on, listening to the musical sound of her soft young voice and silvery laughter, until dusk crept into the apart- ment, and reluctant even then to depart, we at last rose with many apologies as to the length of our visit, which Mr. Austen promptly silenced by a hearty invi- tation to come again and as often as we liked. Such castles in the air had been very nice to build, and had grown with curious facility, but now, they all toppled down at one stroke, leaving me strangely sobered, when I realized, that for this day at least, there was no longer any chance of seeing Nell. There was nothing for it, however, but to tramp back to Whin- boro*. Dicky at flrst was much inclined to expatiate on the beauties of Cattington Towers, and the great good fortune of the lucky individual destined to secure Miss Fitzgerald's hand, but after a time, finding my replies were exceedingly laconic, not to say repellent, and also having perhaps learnt a certain amount of discretion from our little encounter of the previous night, he gradually relapsed into silence. We swung our sticks, puffed at our cigars, and stretched our legs, but said nt ver a word. I for one was not conversationally inclined. But just as we were entering the town of Whinboro' our attention was attracted by the sound of jingling bells, which rang out merrily on the still air, and looking ahead, we perceived a smart pony-phaeton rapidly approaching. It was drawn by a pair of high- stepping cobs, and the driver proved to be a young lady, clad in a neat, dark tight-fitting tailor-made suit, by whose side sat an elderly gentleman. One glance sufficed for me to recognize the pair; and, as I did so, I felt the colour mounting to my face, whilst the beats of my heart quickened sensibly. A sudden flash which revealed a pretty girlish countenance, and then — Nell had yanished ; leaving ! ' 111 : , CO TIl£ GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. behind her an agreeable impression of feminine freshness and rosiness. ** Well," observed Dicky, ** I am glad to have met them, for it proves, at any rate, that they really were out when we called, and *Not at home' meant the truth for once." " It generally does, in the country,** said I, rather grimly, for I had not yet altogether recovered from my disappointment, and, therefore, took extra pjiins to conceal it, by saying nothing which could provoke suspicion. " Callers are not so frequent here as they are in town, you may depend upon it." " No, I suppose not. However, no matter. By the end of a week, I predict we shall have made great strides towards intimacy with Mr. Austen and Miss Fitzgerald. To tell you the truth, Miles, that girl fetches me uncommonly." " And well she may," thought I, in my innermost heart, whilst bitter, sarcastic words rose to the tip of my tongue, but I refrained from uttering them, being determined not to lose my temper again, without great provocation, having already seen how it laid me open to attack. Only somehow it did seem hard, that Dicky, who, to use his own elegant and expressive phraseology, was in a perpetual state of being ^^ fetched " by the fair sex, should just happen to pick out the one girl I had seen in all my life, who, I felt, on nearer acquaintance, I could love, with all the intensity of which my nature was capable. At seven-and-twenty, I had already learnt 1 could not care for divers people. My disposi- tion was too slow and too concentrated to have many loves, I was not one of those who could lightly change, or who, like Dicky, could forget the old affec- tion and take up with the new. Once loved, always loved ; that was how it would be with me, and there- fore I felt half afraid of the unwonted feelings Nell Fitzgerald had given rise to. Already I was jealous of Dicky, and had spoken to him with a severity never engendered by any of his former escapades. ( 't"''r' AN OFF DAY. (11 And now I Was angry with myself for having done 8d — fat having been so easily moved to wrath. What business ton, had I, a poor cavalry officer, with little beyond his pay, slender prospects, and a com- paratively young father, to think of love and matri- mony ? A wife was a luxury only to be indulged in by the rich, and even if Nell were a hundred timet more beautiful^ still she could be nothing to me. I was in no position to marry, however much I might desire to do so, whilst the very idea of being indebted to a woman for one's fortune was repugnant in the extreme. Work ? Yes, I would work ; ay and willingly too, had I but the chance. But in these days of competition, when our small island is densely over-populated, and almost every man is already struggling to obtain an honest livelihood, it is difficult to turn from the profession already adopted, and take up another, especially one that will pay. Years of laborious toil would be required to gain even a modest independence. And then, while I was working, why should a girl like Nell wait? What for? I had nothing to offer her. Neither wealth, rank, nor position. Only my love. Why should she waste her youth? Why let her good looks fade, and the sunny spring-time of her life go by, waiting for an uncertainty that migtit never come off? The thing was simply ridiculous. I recognized its absurdity without difficulty, and yet the absurdity was sweet. So sweet, that I told myself this madness which had taken possession of my senses must be crushed in its infancy. It must not have the least chance given it of increasing, or else it would grow to •uch proportions that in a very short time it would prove utterly ungovernable. • Nell must be stamped out of my heart. ]5ttt| ah W ] iu OVir pitiful human resolves is therf 'I 111 i Ih ! llllillH' I! i !' Vy ! ! ! il t^'ll eS THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. not always a " but," which contrives to destroy the whole? How charming she was! How simple and pretty and unaffected ! I would stake my life as to her honesty and jtraightforwardness. Those eyes could only be the outward mirror of a ^^nk and truth- ful disposition. I har. never seen anybody the least like her before, aivd certainly no woman had ever raised in me such a tempest of emolioD, or filled me with such vague longing. Common sense bade me keep out of her way, shun her society as if she were some loathsome being, instead of tne sweetest creature on earth, and flee from the temptation of her presence; but an inward force, stronger than common sense, and mightier than reason, goaded me on to make her acquaintance, and having once made it, to lose no opportunity of being near her. So, although with widely different motives, Ditky Dawson's wishes and mine were identical. We botn desired to see more of the girl in the brown habit. I, because I had fallen head over ears in love with her; he, because she found favour in his sight, and was said to be rich. The seeds of discord were already 80WU between us. CHAPTER VIII. THE SIREN SHOWS TEMPER. FoRTUNAT^'LY for my peace of mind, the next day (Wednesday) was a hunting one. Now, there is no remedy equal to active physical exercise for soothing Love's torments. The fresh air, the bustle and excite- ment, the necessity of exertion, and above all the spring of a good horse under one, are all things that serve, at any rate for the time being, to diminish any influence acquired by woman over man. Once the fox is found and away, the genus homo is- converted into a simple hunting animal^ who, without THE SIREN SHOWS TEMPER. 63 estroy tlie imple and life as to rhose eyes and truth- r the least had ever > filled me • way, shun ing, instead 3e from the ward force, han reason, and having ig near her. Ives, Ditky . We botn a habit. I, 3 with her; it, and was ere already e next day here is no or soothing and excite- )ve all the hings that inish any r I .1. '4 possessing the fine nose and scenting ability of the hound, is not one whit behind him in the matter of keenness. The intoxication of the chase seizes upon his senses, and drives away every other thought. Besides which, I had my work cut out with The Siren. I had not been on her back ten minutes, before I discovered that, to say the least of it, she was a very peculiar animal. True, just at first, I congi.itulated myself on the demure manner in which she walked out of the yard, switching her thin tail from aide to side, and champing amiably at her bit. I had resolved to try her in a snaflfle bridle, and so far was delighted with the result. But by the time we had cleared the outskirts of the town, her ladyship's vagaries began, and shortly after- wards no doubt could be entertained as to the unplea- santness of her intentions and general obstinacy. In order to arrive at the meet, it became necessary, when we had proceeded about five miles along the high road, to leave the macadam and go through a narrow bridle-gate, that led into a large grass field. Unfor- tunately, at the precise moment we turned towards this gate, a butcher's boy went by at a smart trot, mounted on a rough, shaggy-maned pony. When The Siren perceived them, nothing would induce her to go off the road. She had evidently made up her mind to follow in their wake, and throw in her lot — and consequently mine — with the youthful deliverer of meat. Now this resolution did not coincide with my views in the least. At first I thought The Siren's reluctance to obey my bidding proceeded merely from a bit of temper, easily overcome if properly treated, and I tried patting her persuasively on the neck, and speaking to her in a coaxing voice ; but the brute stuck her forelegs firmly in the ground, laid back her small, thin ears, and gave one or two very ugly, ominous shakes of her lean and wicked my head. Then I realized that it was a case of either her will 64 THE OIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. ! ; hi ! ; or mine proving triumphant ; and I set my teeth for the coming struggle, resolving in my own mind who should gain the victory. For the first time I gave her a sharp touch with the spur. She snorted indignantly, rounded her back, shook her head more obstinately than ever, but as for moving, she never budged an inch. " Go on, Dicky,* I said. " Don't wait for me, or you will be late, to a certainty. It's twenty minutes to eleven now," taking a hasty look at my watch. " Oh, never mind, old man ! " he replied. " I'm not in any particular hurry, aiid I don't like leaving you in the lurch. . It seems a shabby sort of thing to do.'* "Thanks very much, Dicky; but, really,! had rather you went on. The Siren and I are bound to have a tussle, and there is no saying how long it may last. I'm pretty determined, at times, as you know, and I intend to wait at this gate all day long, rather than let the mare beat me." "Well, if you really wish me to go," said Dicky, beginning to waver. " I do. You can do me no good by staying. It is absolutely necessary that I should show myself The Siren's master ; for, otherwise, she will be mine ; and if so, I question much whether I should ever get a single fair day's work out of the brute. She has been accustomed of late to being driven by a man who was afraid of her." Seeing me so decided, and knowing that it was impossible under the circumstances to offer any assist- ance, Dicky rode slowly on, hoping that before long I would overtake him. Owing to a variety of petty disasters — bad ties, late breakfast, wrongly-fitting sti^ldle, and so on, we had been late in starting, and now had little time to spare. Dicky, it is true, by brisk riding, might still arrive at the meet at the appointed hour, but another five minutes would be pretty well fatal to my chance of doing so. Knowing this, I determined the struggle shomd be short and decisive. THE SIREN SHOWS TEMPER m And now began a regular conflict between mati and horse, in which both fought for supremacy of will. Whose would turn out the stronger? That was the question. A quarter of an hour elapsed, without any decided issue. The Siren proved as obstinate as a mule. I freely admit that, at this juncture, I lost my temper, and made up my mind — all other tactics having failed — to regularly beat the devil out of her. Mark you, I had been very patient with her up till this, and had not ill-treated her in any way ; but I was loth to give up a day's hunHng, and perhaps lose the run of the sea* son, simply on account of her villainous humours. To make a long story short, I raised my whip aloft — I had taken the precaution to provide myself with a cutting one at starting — and punished her as I have never punished an animal in my life and hope never to have to do again ; for even while thus engaged I felt more than half ashamed of my own actions, although I was at my wits' end, and knew no other mode of con- quering tho mare. Meanwhile, she kicked and plunged, all to no purpose. I had a tolerably strong seat, and practice in the riding-school had rendered it still firmer, so that I was not as easy to be dislodged as she imagined. Finding which. The Siren took to rearing most viciously. Up, up, higher and higher she went, until she almost lost her balance. A bright idea struck me. The next time she tried that game, I would pay her out in her own coin, even although I myself proved the jufferer. My blood was thoroughly heated, and once more, down came the whip with increased severity on her striped and foaming sides. By way of reply, she stood straight up on her hind legs, and pawed the air with her front ones. Now was the moment for putting my plan into execution. I seized hold of the bridle and pulled it hard. The next miiute we fell backwards, with great force, on the smooth hard road. I think I must have been a little stunned by the- ill Ml i I , jiiiiiil h' i i I « THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. fall, for just at first I have no recollection of what took place. Directly I recovered from the concussion, I rose to my feet, and taking the bridle in my hand, managed, after a few seconds, to pull The Siren on to her legs. She looked a pitiable object, covered with dust, and was snorting with terror, and trembling in every limb. I passed my hand down her dripping neck, and «poke to her soothingly. The sound of my voice tippeared to reassure her somewhat. She seemed quite cowed, and also a little dazed, as if she scarcely knew where she was. I waited a few minutes, in order to give her time to recover. Then 1 led her through the bridle gate 1 She offered no resistance, and this accomplished, I proceeded to mount as quickly and quietly as possible, and rode her backwards and for- wards two or three times, opening and shutting the gate just as I chose. She was perfectly passive now, and I could do what I liked with her. A lamb could not have been more amiable and unresisting. Once fairly in the grass-field, I gave a light shake to the reins, and urged her into a canter. She dropped her head, and went bounding away over the springy turf like an india-rubber ball. To do her justice, she was a remarkably fine mover. Her long, low strides covered the ground without effort, in a truly wonderful manner. After a bit, she began to warm to her work, and cocked her ears and showed various signd of life. She gradually rose in my esteem. I spoke to her at intervals, having a great belief in the effect produced on dumb animals by the sound of the human voice. I have ever found it possess a tranquillizing and cheer- ing influence. Thus, we went steadily on, for about a quarter of an hour, getting on better terms with each other at every step, and increasing the speed as we went along. Still, I looked forward to nothing better than a stem chase, and probably having to ride miles all round the country in pursuit of the hounds, when to my great delight, on mounting a tolerably stiff hill, I saw the THE SIKEN SHOWS TEMPER. 07 whole Field in the valley beneath me, approaching in my direction. I pulled up, in order to give The Siren her wind. They had evidentl" drawn the first covert blank, and were now on their way to try another. Until this moment 1 had never given a thought to my personal appearance, but now the knowledge that it was not quite as it should be was forced upon me by Dicky, who, directly he perceived me, ranged up alongside, and said, anxiously : " Hulloa ! old man. What's the matter ? Not hurt, I hope ? " " No," I replied ; " nothing to ^peak of, only a bit shaken. The mare took to rearing, so, as 1 saw no other way of conquering her temper, I pulled her over backwards, and the pair of us got rather a heavy fall. But," I continued, with a smile of satisfied triumph, ** I've taken the devil out of her, Dicky, as I said I would." " Trust you for that." ** I had a tremendous fight, but in the end I have proved myself the master." " Yes," said Dicky, " at the cost of a brand new hat, price tive-and-twenty shillings. Expensive work. Miles." ** So it is," I acquiesced, as I took it off, and surveyed the battered crown that was squashed out of all sem- blance of shape. " Well, never mind," 1 continued, as after several endeavours to restore it to its original condition I once more replaced it on my head. ** I dare say there's somebody in the town who can block it out, and sooner or later, hunting hats ail meet with the same fate. They never last long." ** Yours don't," said Dicky. " You seem to be pecu- liarly unlucky, and to have a knack of tumbling on the crown ot your head. Some of these days you'll get concussion ot the brain." " Yes," retorted I, " and some of these days we both shall die. But in the meantime it is foolish to an- ticipate evil." Dicky looked at me critically, but concernedly. •^ lilll I 08 THE OIKL IN THB BROWN HABIT: \'fi ' I ^ I ** Are you aware, old chap,** he said, after a panse, *' that yoiir face is all cut and scratched about, and that you have got a black eye as inky as a prize- fighter's?" "Have I? How lovely I must look. By-the-by, is Miss Fitzgerald out ? " " No — at least I have seen nothing of her as yet.** ''Ah, then you have not been able to make the * iunning.*' " How could I ? I fancy she and her uncle must be reserving their steeds for Friday. Dimblebee says it is one of the Whinboro's best meets, right in the cream of the grass country." ** Very likely," said I, with an assumption of indif- ference, such as I did not altogether feel ; for to be quite honest, I was rather relieved that Nell was not there to see me in my present condition, being keenly conscious that I was ugly enough by nature without any additional disfigurement. "And now for a run,** I concluded hopefully. " Somehow or other, since my , tussle with her ladyship, I feel in a regular going mood to-day." "A break-neck one, you mean,** rejoined Dicky wamingly. "Do, Miles, take care of that great hulking carcass of yours. Worthless as it is, I have an affection for it, and don't want to see you come to hopeless grief." " Hopeless grief! Bah ! Why, you'll make me funk if you are so solemn, Dicky. To hear you talk, one would think I was going to meet with an instantaneous death." " It's all very fine, chaffing," objected he ; *• but 1 tell you what it is, Miles, I don't half like The Siren," eyeing that now peaceable animal disapprovingly. " She's a nasty, dangerous brute." " And so are you, when you go a-hunting." " Me ? " asked Dicky innocently. " Yes," said I, with a laugh. " When you go heiress huQting, I meant Dangerous to the poor young ladies, pf courae,'' li'Iil 51 .! !iit:'i| A QUICK BURST. 0t l)iclfv gave a grntified smile, not dtefectfng the im- plied sarcasm. His vauitj was superbly proof against all minor attacks ; but in Nell's, absence, I felt kindly disposed towards him, for he bad; evinced a genuine anxiety as to my safety that could not help touching me a little. In spite of his faults he was a real good fellow at boti/Om. CHAPTER IX. A QUICK BURST. By this time we had arrived at the covert-side. The place now to be drawn was a nice compact little gorse enclosure, that gave every indication of affording some sport, Nor were appearances belied ; for we had not stood many minutes, before a loud Tally-ho testified to the welcome fact of Reynard's being at home. In another second any further conversation was com- pletely put a stop to, by his taking to his heels and the open country. During the short period we had rrvjiained inactive,!' was pleased to see that The Siren did not behave like a novice. Instead of staring stupidly about her, or fidgetting all over the place with excitement, she dis- played various symptoms that showed she was used to* the chase and took great interest in it. P^or instance,, she kept her ears well cocked, and her head aloft, as if eagerly listening to every sound ; and then, when she heard the music of the hounds ring out, she turned of her own accord like a practised hunter, and moved ini the direction from which the musical notes proceeded.. All this gave me con6dence, and as soon as the pack were once fairly started on the line of their fox, I let her go, and was shortly galloping hard in pursuit. There was a scent to-day and no mistake. If a man would secure a start he must not spare his horse, otherwise he stood in danger of seeing the flying tt THE amL IN THE BROWN HABIT. beauties vanish altogether from his sight. Just for a few seconds, when the hounds first emerged from the covert, they hesitated ; then, with one accord, they flung themselves forward, with a dash and a keenness glorious to witness. Th<^y flashed across the big open pastures like a streak of silver, running meanwhile almost mute, without a single babbler or skirter in their close, serri i rar'- . Wo era nv.eC i iV^D .»ai Lats, threw away our cigars, settled ourselv* 3 in U;': saddle, and prepared to ride hard. I had been Ijxtui'^e in securing an excellent start, and not more than li ^e minutes had elapsed, before I discovered that The Siren possessed a capital turn of speed. Many thoroughbreds are deiusive in this respect. They look like galloping till you come to try them ; but when they face the fatiguing ridge and furrow of a grass country, they roll about as helplessly as a toy wooden boat on the ocean waves, plunging heavily down into the depths and then laboriously scaling the heights. But The Siren seemed no stranger to a fifty-acre Leicestershire field, and she skimmed along with short, active strides, nicely apportioned to the occasion, every now and then changing her feet with lightning-lik«^ rapidity. The pace was first-rate, but she was going well within herself, and what pleased me more than all, really seemed as if she thoroughly enjoyed the chase, and fully entered into the spirit of the thing. Whatever an animal's faults may be, I always like a horse whose heart is in his work ; and so far there was no doubt about The Siren's being in the right place. She was straining every nerve to get nearer the hounds, and her eyes were steadily fixed upon their mottled quarters. The question was, how would she jump ? Until now a couple of open gates had served us well, and obviated any necessity of risking one's neck, but soon a long, low line of black, crossing the light green field, showed that a fence was close at hand. My spirits rose at the sight. Galloping over smooth sound turf is very delightful, but it lacks that element of danger which A QUICrC BURST. n constitutes one of the prineipai charms of fox li anting, ff it were always t; fe, easy Aork, I do not believe we .should care fo»* the sport half ha much as we do. We should not feel nearly as pro J when we vanquish our fears and go at a big fence, or as rejoiced when we have beaten our neighjjours in a flying forty minutes. And yet it 's '^ ^reat mistake to suppose that everybody can gallop. It is by no means an easy accomplishment, and not one man or woman in a hundred knows how to make full use of his horse's speed, or turn it to best advantage. Rabbit holes, cart-ruts, unsuspected boors and hidden drains, exercise a certain restraining ii. u- ence over the majority, with whom imaginary te '*-orf often outweigh the actual ones. I always think it is a beautiful sight, to see ciw^ vr three men boldly single themselves out from their companions, and simultaneously charge an e ^\ird looking fence, in spots of their own choosing. It speaks well for the pluck and dash of the Mother Country, which in these djiys we often hear decried. Not feeling altogether sure how The Siren might perform in a crowd, and knowing her to be uncom- monly handy with her heels, I had taken the precaution of riding a little to the right, apart from the bulk of the Field. I now set her at the fence. She rushed at it a thousand miles an hour. But, alas ! I suppose the reminiscences of the shafts were still too strong and too recent to admit of her putting her good intentions into execution. She came round so suddenly, that I almost lost my balance. But I was not to be denied, especially when hounds were running like wild-fire, and looked as if they would continue doing so. I turned back a few yards, took her ti/rht by the head, gave her a dig with the spurs, and in another second, over we were ! This time The Siren jumped well, and never offered to refuse. She took off exactly right, and landed far into the opposite field. In fact she would almost have cleared a river, and although I recognized immediately that she might prove rather jiwkward to handle at t^ crampy double — bein evidently 7a THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. a flyer by nature — or at a itiff flight of rails such as I had jumped with Obadiah, I felt there was no great fear of her leaving her hind legs in any of the ditches. And the satisfaction of knowing this much was con- siderable, since, as before stated, they were extra big, at least they seemed so to me, who was not accustomed to a flying country. But the mare wanted " hands." She pulled a goodish bit, and yet had so fine a mouth that it would hardly bear a touch. I quickly discovered that she required to be left absolutely alone at her fences. The smallest restraint made her jump low, and brush through them, which when you have a stiff top-binder to deal with is not altogether pleasant ; but I soon found out, that if her head were left quite free, she got up in the air very well indeed, although I did not imagine timber would ever prove her " forte." Still she ought to turn out a grand water-jumper, and anyhow it was a pleasure to be on an animal who could gallop. That is why I dearly love a blood-horse. Get & good one, up to some weight, and they are merely •cantering, whilst their more plebeian brethren are putting their very best foot foremost. We had now been going at almost racing speed, for something over twenty minutes, and the pace was beginning to tell. The Field had thinned visibly, and "was rapidly growing more and more select, especially as a cQuple of very ugly, hairy fences had choked off all but the bolder spirits. Those who remained, how- ever, were clearly bent on riding, and doubtless would prove difficult to beat. Looking back, I could see that a long string of scairleit dotted the green pastures for nearly a mile in the vear ; and amongst the toilers I fancied I could detect Dicky. My whole frame thrilled with ecstasy. The blood seemed literally to dance in my veins. Was there ever such a sport as this same fox-hunting ? Did it not beat that of «very other country ? Was it possible fox Anj other jti) compare with it? A QUICK BURSl. 79 I could imagine none — save perhaps the excitement of a battle-field, and a dashing cavalry charge of few against many, where spear clashed with spear, andstee] with steel. My thoughts were a trifle sobered by a huge double oxer immediately ahead. The tall, pale young man on the gallant bay horse, who, up to this point, had been cutting out the work, took a pull at his steed, and hesitated for a second or two. The obstacle looked decidedly formidable ; and any other would have been preferable, had there been time to gaze about, and pick and choose. But there was none ; and, nasty as the oxers were, with their thick, straggly, overgrown fence between them, I knew that they were exactly suited to The Siren's free style of jumping Therefore I charged the impediment manfully, thinking I would leave it all to the mare. Neither was my confidence misplaced. Her blood was thoroughly up by this time, and I do not believe she would have turned her head from a house. She rushed at the fence in her usual somewhat wild maimer, and — flew the whole thing like a bird. " Well done, old lady ! " I said, giving her a pat of commendation on landing. " You're a real good 'un, whatever your faults may be." For my immediate follower had come an imperial crowner, and his long limbs were measuring mother earth. I saw, however, that he was not hurt, so pursued my way serenely, whilst my heart gave a great tri*- umphant leap. Not at his downfall, poor fellow I for he had gone right gallantly and well, but at my own, or rather, The Siren's, success. For now I was actually leading the Field ! f Oh ! proud position. None prouder, for a young man and a stranger, than to prove himself the equal of good sportsmen in their own country. He goes forth timid, he comes back strong ; he starts, uncertain of his own powers, he returns, feeling they have been fully tested, and come well out of the ordeal. He begins by finding himself ignored, pooh-poohed, probably laughed at j he ewds by being respected, if not 74 THE 01 RL IN THE BROWN HABIT, liked — and by being incorporated amongst the riding memberR of the Hunt. For men may be jealous o\ each other's powers, but, as a rule, they are fair ; and each person's place is justly apportioned to him,accord-> ing to his merits. The pretender cannot pretend long ; or the swaggerer, swagger loudly in the Hunting Field. His companions are too keen-sighted and observant not to know all his little peccadilloes by heart. So when the huntsman galloped by me, and said respect- fully — casting a hasty glance of admiration at the now panting Siren — " Good mare that, sir, you are on. That double oxer has choked most of them off," I could not help feeling as proud as a king. What if my new hat were crushed, my eye black- ened, and my beauty spoilt ? I had the keen satisfaction of knowing that the poor despised twenty-eight-pound screw had turned out trumps, and I could afford to laugh at Mr. Martingale, when I went back to Whinboro*. CHAPTER X. PRIDE HATH A FALU Meanwhile the hounds were in full view of their fox, and a bloodthirsty chorus filled the air. It put fresh life into the horses, who, although not positively dis- tressed, were beginning to show signs of having had enough. There had been no check to let them get their wind, and not a few were sobbing audibly. In fact, it was a regular Leicestershire burst, such as I had often read about, with feelings of envy, but never participated in until to-day. A great, upstanding bullfinch, black as night, offered no serious resistance to my victorious career. Swish ! scratch ! scramble ! and with the blood spurt- mg from a long tear on my right cheek, and a thorn ^ticking in the toe of my boot, we were over, or rather VRlhE UATH A FALU 71 through, The Siren sliaking her head gaily on land- ing, as much as to say, ** Impetus does wonders." And now poor Pug's little span of life seemed pretty well at an end. He had made a bold bid for his brush, but it was not to prove successful. Every hound in the pack was clamouring murder, as, with bristles up and gleam- ing eyes, they gradually gained inch by inch upon him. Still he struggled on, but his lissom limbs were getting stiff, and his red-brown coat was dark with perspiration. We were galloping hard, through a large grass field. I had managed to repass the huntsman, and was now a few yards in advance, but he was close at my heels, accompanied by some half-dozen good men and true. In the middle of this field, I suddenly saw a deep narrow ditch, whose rounded banks were literally over- grown with yellow edish. Excited by the near presence of other horses, or perhaps reminded of her racing days, The Siren had grown very eager, and snatched wildly at her bit. I tried to take a pull, but she tossed up her head and changed her legs, which only lost me ground without producing the desired eflfect. I wanted her to see what she was coming to, and not, because the ditch was small, ignore it altogether. But her eyes were fixed on the hounds, and despite my efforts, she galloped straight into it, and turned a complete somer- sault. For some seconds, I suppose I must have lost con- sciousness ; anyhow, I lay where I fell, doubled up in an uncomfortable attitude on the grass, while the mare pinned me do¥ n by both legs, so that I could not pos- sibly rise. Two or three people kindly rushed to my assistance, and soon succeeded in rescuing me from this disagreeable position, rendered the more so as The Siren showed symptoms of using her heels. As it was, I received rather a nasty kick on the head, which did not conduce towards my clearness of vision. Nevertheless, my first sensation on rising from the f round was one of pleasure, at finding that the hounda ad run into their fox close by, and that my fall had not prevented me from being in at the death. My 76 II |IH HIiilLh, I ililll'l ilill '* mm THE GIBL IN THE BROWN HABIT, next was hardly so agreeable. I found myself so dizzy and shaken, that I feared I was hardly up to riding any more that day. Indeed, I was not altogether certain, whether I had escaped without a broken bone. My breath came and went in painful catches. ** Here, take a taste of brandy out of my flask,** said the young man on the bay, who had come to grief over the double oxer, and whose name it appeared was Cap- tain Hooper, He had just ridden up, and I was glad to see, seemed none the worse for his fall, nor to have been long detained by it. " Thank you," I said, rather faintly. ** Don't be afraid ; take a good pull at it,** went on Captain Hooper. " I've more than I shall want myself, ana there's nothing like brandy for bringing a fellow round, when he's knocked a bit out of time." I followed his advic j and was grateful for it, since I quickly began to feel more like myself again. The black spots left off dancing before my eyes, and I could see everything clearly. "There! you are better already,** said Hooper. " The colour is beginning to come back to your face. How did that mare put you down ? " I explained the manner in which the catastrophe had happened. **l'm not surprised,** observed my new friend, ** She's a rusher, and just the animal to stick her fore- feet into a drain like this, esptcially when she got excited. Have you had her long ? " " No, only about a fortnight. This is the first time I have ridden her with hounds, so I did not know much about her performances, a.t starting." " Well, she is a brilliant huntress. I thought very few horses in the country could beat my old bay, but. she fairly stumped him over that double oxer. I was just behind you, and I believe your mare must have cleared close upon eight-and-twenty feet. She made an extraordinary jump." **She is pretty good at width," said I, feeling grati- fied by Captain Hooper's praise, for there is no surer PRIDE HATH A FALU n means of gaining a man's liking than by approving of his horse, **and I think she'll turn out a good 'un." « Think I " exclaimed he. " I don't think about it at all. Pm sure of it." And he proceeded to pass his right hand down the mare's fore-legs. " HuUoa ! '* he said. " She has over-reached ; and, what's more," leading her on a pace or two, " she is going lame on it." " That's an infernal nuisance," said I. ** I intended staying out in hopes of seeing another run, and now I suppose I ought to take her home." " No doubt about it ; besides, my dear fellow, if you will excuse riy saying so, you are hardly fit to ride yourself. You are a deal more shaken than you will admit. Have you far to go ? " " No, only to Whinboro'. My firiend Dawson and I are staying there at the hotel." " Oh ! indeed. Then you are Captain Mannington, I suppose ? I told my missis to drop a card on you to-day. You see," apologetically, " we hunting men have not much time for that sort of thing ; and paste- board leaving is quite out of my line." " So I should imag.ne," said I, with a smile. " How many days a week do you hunt ? '* " Six, as a rule." « Pretty hard work, that." **I would hunt seven, if I coula, only it leaves one very little time for anything else. Ha, the hounds are moving on, so I must be otf. We shall draw Nutting- ton Sticks next." And Captain Hooper, who appeared a veritable enthusiast, prepared to remount his good bay horse, who, having got his wind, seemed quite fresh again. " Go straight home," he said, as he trotted away ; '* for, if you don't consider your own self worth taking care of, the mare is, at any rate ; and, by-the-by, if you have nothing better to do on Sunday, come up to lunch. My wife is always at home, even if I am not. You will find my address on the card." 78 THE GIUL IN THE BROWN HABIT. "I I if: P \'i And, so saying, he took his departure, leaving mo reluctantly to turn towards home. I was, as Hooper had declared, more shaken than I would admit ; but The Siren's over-reach decided me ; and as we crawled along, she very lame, and I very stiif, comfortable visions of a blazing tire and a good capacious arm-chair rose to my mind's eye. I would coddle for the whole of one long afternoon, if only in hopes of getting out hunting again on the morrow. I had come to the conclusion that there were no bones injured, which, hitherto, had been my chief anxiety, for to be laid up at the beginning of one's leave, with a broken collar-bone, would have been a most confounded nuisance. When I entered the stable-yard I was met by Martingale, who, with a face expressive of great con- cern, advanced towards me upon my arrival. *' Ah ! " he exclaimed, giving a dismal shake of the head, '* I feared as much. I knowed as how she would never turn out a hunter." Bad as I felt, I could not conceal my elation at being able to contradict the great man's assertions, and prove him in the wrong. " Then you knew a little too much," said I. " She has given me a couple of falls, certainly, neither of them very light, or pleasant ones ; but we have had a brilliant five-and-twenty minutes, and I was never better carried in my life. So there ! " Martingale's countenance, on receipt of this unex- pected intelligence, was a study in itself. He first lool^ed incredulous, then tried to appear pleased, but in the latter endeavour he failed altogether. ** H'm ! " he said, dubiously. ** And can she jump ? " " Jump ? Yes, rather. She cleared a double oxer with me in such form that the huntsman himself congratulated me on possessing so smart an animal. And what's more, she went at ityfratj without a lead. Pretty good, that, for a cabby, eh. Martingale ? " With the astounding aptitude for picking up infor- PR1D£ HAt H A FALU saving me as Hooper dmit ; but we crawled omfortable I arm-chair the whole etting out ne to the ed, which, bo be laid a broken unfounded B met by great con- ke of the she would n at being and prove I. "She aeither of ave had a jver better his un ex- He first Based, but can she uble oxer himself Q animal, ut a lead. 3?" up infor- mation regarding any animal under their charge pecu- liar to gentlemen of Mr. Martingale's profession, that individual knew as much about the mare's antecedents as I did myself, whence arose, in part, the contempt which he invariably displayed when speaking of The Siren. He thought nothing whatever of a horse who had not cost three hundred guineas. Any hunter under that price was, in his opinion, not worth look- ing at, and could not possibly turn out a success. '* If you wants a good article, you must pay for it,** was one of his favourite sayings, and one which met with great approval amongst his large circle of acquaint- ances, saddlers, smiths, forage dealers, &c. He was always consistent in his sentiments ; and when similar ones are cherished at another man's expense, they are always certain to bring great glory and respect to the liberal propounder. " Not such a bad performance, that, was it ? ** I re- peated, heartily enjoying poor Martingale's discomfi- ture, and pressing for an answer. He was too much overcome, however, to find one as readily as usual. " Well, I'm dashed ! " he exclaimed, after a length- ened pause, and he spoke the words like a person who has received an unexpected blow in the stomach. Then he recovered himself slightly, and added : " All I can say is this. Captain Mannington ; if that there mare can jump with her back and them loins, then it upsets all my theories as to what a hunter should be, and how he ought to look.** " Well, you see, horses are very deceptive animals, and it does not always do to judge by appearances alone," said I, coolly. " Quite so," assented Martingale, seeking for consola- tion in some other hypothesis. *« And it's my belief, that a mare like The Siren might very possibly spurt over a good big fence or two at starting, but I'll be lK>und she can't stay." "Wrong again," said I, gleefully, * obe hardly turned a hair." 80 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HAEIT. ** But she gave you a couple of falls, Captin.** " Yes ; not jumping, however. One was on the way to covert, when she showed a bit of temper, and the other happened through her galloping into a nasty little blind ditch." " Humph !" ejaculated Martingale, discontentedly, for I could clearly see he was very loth to find his predic- tions falsified, and refused to believe any good of The Siren. '* It don't much matter kow things happen. I judge by the results." ** Exactly, and so do I.** *• That mare's been the means of hurting you bad! 7, Captin,'* said Martingale, as I tried to descend from the saddle, and found that I could not dismount without aid. " She'll be the death of you one of these days. You mark my words." "Nothing of the sort," said I. "And as for being hurt, I'm not killed this time." "No, and lucky too," muttered the unconvinced Martingale. "Go into the house, Captin, and get a nice warm bath. It'uU do you more good than any- thing ; especially if you put a few drops of arnica into the water. You'll be pretty stiff by to-morrow I reckon." "I hope not," I responded, cheerfully. "By the way, I'm sorry to say, the mare has got an over-reach between the hoof and Lair. She came home lame." Martingale stooped down, and at once inspected the injury. " It's nothing to speak of, Captin," he said, reassur- ingly. " She's tender on it now, but a day or two will put it all right. The skin is hardly broken, and she will be round 'afore you are." "Then she must make haste. Martingale, for I ii'f rnd ^c TO out hunting again to-morrow." K'^ p^rook jis head. « Wt^?* a Tnan intenr\ and what he doeSy are often tm") ver QTif-*reno ^' lags," he said, P'^ntentiously. V.'h.;i'ew|» >r he led The Siren into her box, and being i^riH'j "i *ha< eije wais in good hands, I proceede4 to MAKING FRIENDS. hobble upstairs as best I could, and don a loose, warm Hxnoking suit, made of dark blue serge, with bird's-eye facings. CHAPTER XI. MAKING FRIENDS. On taking a hasty glance at my own reflection in the glass, I own to having felt a little startled at the dilapidated appearance I presented. My coat was not only torn, but plastered all over with mud ; my hat resembled nothing so much as the typical head-gear of an inebriated Irishman, fresh from a street row ; my right cheek was badly scratched, and the blood had trickled down and coagulated on the white collar ; whilst, cb foi my left eye, it was almost entirely bunged up by a swelling mass of livid purple flesh. It is not often that a n in is struck by a sense of his own ugliness. Grenerally, he has become so habituated to it as to be either resig ned or indiff'erent ; but, as I scrutinized my disordenid image in the glass, the following displeasing thought flashed throug' my brain. " Ugh ! how is it possible for any nice rl to care for such a repulsive-looking devil ? lb very sight of you is enough to set her against you." And, almost unconsciously, I found myself ' nvying Dicky his good looks, and for the first time e\ -r since I had known him, wishing that I too had ' hie eyes, chestnut hair that cm'led naturally, and a c resh pink and white complexion. I was convinced that such things went a long way with women. "Perhaps," I said to myself, heaving an inward eigh, " if I were like Dicky, I also might have a chance with Nell. At all events, I should start fair, b.it as it is — bah ! " breaking off" with impatient self-scorn. ** I wn't think what on sarth has come over me. Fancy 62 li:!4 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. iii a man oaring for his personal appearance, and setting any store by it. Why, I must be turning woman." And I resolutely set to work to banish such vain longings, keeping my eyes religiously averted from the looking-glass, whilst I completed my toilet. A quarter of an hour afterwards, book in hand, I took up a position in the big arm-chair of which I had dreamed during my slow, cold homeward ride. A bright fire blazed on the hearth, and our small sitting-room looked both cosy and cheerful. As I listened to the wind howling outside, I almost per- suaded myself that I had the best of it. Anyhow, before long I reverted to a tranquil and satisfied state of mind, and laying my book aside, began to reflect on the events of the day. After all, things might have been ever so much worse. I might have broken an arm or a leg, and been laid up for weeks ; or the mare might have injured herself very seriously ; whereas, with moderate luck, the probabilities were that by the beginning of the week we should both be in a position to take the field again. And, at any rate, if my day's hunting had been short, it had been very sweet ; so sweet, that it wo^ild live in my recollection for evermore, and be garneied away in my memory as a fresh and delightful experience. In coming to the Shires, I had half- feared disappointment. I had heard so much about them, that I fancied their perfections would p/obably prove enormously exaggerated ; but a single morning's sport was enough to teach me that the reality far outstripped report. Galloping over nothing but grass was glorious work. It gave you such an exquisite sensation of flying through the air ; and, although the fences were big, they seemed twice as easy, when the take-off was good. During the whole time we had been running, T could not remember having come across a single ploughed field. Sound, well-drained turf, had stretched like a billiard board in every direction. Such vast and undulating expanses of green were pleasant to the eye, MAKING FRIENDS. US I'hey soothed and charmed it. And what speed the hounds showed ! People might say what they liked about thft superior merits of good, slow, old-fashioned hunting, but there was nothing in the whole world so exhilarating and intoxicating as — pace/ Nothing that made a man's blood glow, and his heart beat, and his pulses quicken, in the same ecstatic manner. And then I took to going over the entire run from start to finish, and recalling each separate fence. How, at this one. The Siren had made a truly magnificent bound, and at that one, she had taken off a trifie too soon, and if all were to come over again, I would ride her at it somewhat differently — just a wee bit slower. True, she had negotiated the obstacle all right, but if we had happened to come to grief I should have blamed myself a little. I believe most horsemen are subject to similar reminiscences, and rilr of self- censure, so I hope you will bear with mins, more especially as my meditations were shortly disturbed by the entry of Mr. Dimblebee, who appeared, bearing in his hand an electro-plated salver, on whose shiny surface reposed a couple of thin white cards. " Please, sir," he said, " Mrs. Hooper called this afternoon, and left these for you and Mr. Dawson. She said I was to be sure and see that you had them." I took up the cards and saw that they bore the name of Captain Hooper, The Lodge, Whinboro* ! ** Can you tell me who this gentleman is ! ** I enquired. " I made his acquaintance out hunting to-day^ and he goes right well, which is something in his favour." " A good deal," answered Dimblebee. ** But wher- ever hounds go, there Captain Hooper is sure to follow. Nothing stops him." " He seems a good sort of fellow. He was very kind t4) me when I fell. Grave me some brandy out of hie own flask, and appeared quite concerned." " Yes, that's the way with them out-and-out sports- men. They're always the first to come to a comrade's THE GIRL IN THE BROWK HABlf. assistance. They're never jealous or disagreeable lilc6« As for the Captain, he*s a nice quiet gentleman all round* Nobody would think to see him out of the saddle that he was «uch a desperate bruiser in it* He gives on« the idea of being too easy-going to exert himself,** " Is he always very well mounted ? *' I asked. " That was an uncommonly nice horse he rode to-day. A bright bay, who showed a lot of quality and a grand fencer.*' " Ah ! that*s Captain Hooper's old favourite. Jump- ing Jim he calls him. He refused three hundred guineas for him only last winter." " Well, as hunters go now-a-days, I have no doubt he is worth that sum. But I should have thought a man like Captain Hooper would go in for making and breaking his own horses.'* ** Lor' bless you, sir, so he does. He has no end of young 'uns up at his place there. People say as how lie jnakes a lot of money by them.** " He is fairly entitled to do *hat, if he risks his neck as gallantly as he did to-day. He led us most of the way." I was too modest to mention to Mr. Dimblebee that I also h li assisted in doing so. A good sportsman ought never v,o talk much of his own performances. He should always leave other people to find them out ; for, in hunting, as in everything else, '* self-praise is no praise." " He generally does," said Mr. Dimblebee. " Take him all round. Captain Hooper is the best man we have got. He's always there or thereabouts." Our further conversation was here brought to an end, by the sound of bells outside in the street, accompanied by the quick trampling of horses' feet when suddenly pulled up to a stand-still. Mr. Dimblebee went to the window and locked out. " Why ! bless me ! " he exclaimed, " I declare if that ain't Mr. Austen and Miss Nell ! Excuse me, sir I I must go this minute and see what they want." And the worthy man hurried out of the room in hot haste. MAKING FHIENDS. •6 Directly he had departed, I made a supreme effort, rose from the arra-caair — for, sitting before a hot fire, after a bad faU> is apt to make one feel very lazy — and limped to the window. Then — shall I confess it ? I hid carefully behind the heavy red rep cuitain, and with a curious palpitation of the heart, gazed down upon my divinity. Yes, there she was sure enough ; sitting very upright in the pony-phaeton (I could not fancy her slouching)^ holding the reins in her hands. I could only see the crown of her little felt hat, for she was too directly beneath me to allow of her face being visible, a fact which I greatly deplored. I ex[)e- rienced, however, a shy content in watching her gestures, and remained at my post, until to my extreme astonishment the door opened, and no less a person than Mr. Austen himself entered the room. I started at being thus caught staring down the street, and watching like a child who the visitors might be ; but, taking no notice of my confusion, he advanced towards me with a pleasant smile. " How do you do ? " he said. " I am Bcrry to hear from Mr. Dimblebee that you have had ^^uch c bad fall. He has been telling me about it, and perhapfi I ought not to have come up and disturbed you, only sometimeH on these occasions one is inclined to mope, and a little society proves beneficial. But if you dcn't want me send me away." He was a very nice-looking old gentleman, hearty, kindly, and cheery, and he spoke in. such a friendly way, that I took to him at once. He appeared to possess that rare gift of sympathy which sets people at their ease on very short acquaintance, besides — he was Nell's uncle, a fact, which in itself entitled him to respect, and predisposed me in his favour. ** I certainly shall do nothing of the sort," I replied with an answering smile. " I was just beginning to find number one remarkably bad company, and ani most grateful to you for your visit, |t will do me an immensity of good.** ^■Ik THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. I !'f! " 1 am afraid you are badly hurt,** said Mr. Austen, looking with evident concern at my bruised and inflamed countenance. ** Did the horse kick you ? " " Yes, once or twice.** •* So Mr. Dimblebee informed me.** ** Ah ! I see he has exaggerated the affair altogether. Believe me it is not very serious and I fully intend to be out hunting again by to-morrow or next day.** Mr. Austen looked doubtful, but he said, ** I only hope that you may; more especially as one of my objects in calling was to ask if you and Mr. Dawson would give me the pleasure of your company at dinner on Saturday evening. We have no party, and shall probably be quite by ourselves, but Nell and Barrington were great friends when he was here, and she would like to hear all about him from you." The mention of Nell's name reminded me that she was probably waiting outside. My notions of hospi* tality were wounded by such an idea. ** I am afraid," I said hesitatingly, and as I spoke, I could feel myself, to my intense annoyance, turning scarlet — "I am afraid that this is onl}' a bachelor's room, but it is very cold to-day, and if — your niece — Miss Fitzgerald I mean — would not mind coming in, I — I — would do my best to make her comfortable.** To tell the truth, I was so astounded at the audacity of ithe above proposition, that I almost gasped for breath when I had made it. Entertaining ladies had not hitherto been much in my line. I left all that sort of thing to Dicky, who if at home would have proved quite equal to the occasion ; whereas I knew that I stuttered, and stammered and blushed, in such an absurd manner, that Mr. Austen could only doubt the sincerity of my invitation, or put me down as a regular " softy.** And no man likes to be considered the latter by one of his own sex. Altogether I ex- perienced a sense of relief when my companion replied, in his cheery off-hand manner : " Thanks, very much, but Nell has to execute several ^mmissions in the town, and if you won't mind put- MAKINO FKIENDS. that she >f hospi* niece — ing in, I le." ludacity sped for ies had all that Id have I knew in such y doubt eirn as a isidered I ex- replied, r several nd put- m ting up with an old fogey for so long, we have arranged that she is to come back and fetch me again, in about twenty minutes* time." *^Mind!" I exclaimed, "I shall only be too de- lighted." And I think Mr. Austen was pleased by the manner in which I said the words, for to old people there is a subtle flattery in finding the young appre- ciate and like their company. And I honestly did ho, partly on account of his relationship and evident devotion to Nell, and partly through compassion at the sadness of his life's history — the dead boy and poor mad wife — I felt strangely drawn towards Mr. Austen. Up till this moment we had both remained standing. ** Will you not sit down ? " I asked, pushing my own seat towards him. He took a chair, but not the one offered by me. ** No, no," he said, with another of his genial smiles. " That is an invalid's prerogative, and in your present condition you require such small comforts far more than I do. Why, do you know,'* and he looked me earnestly in the face, " if you were not quite so much knocked about, I should feel sorely tempted to ad- minister a severe lecture on the follies of hard riding ? Nell tells me you are a regular bruiser, but there," with an indulgent shake of the head, " you young men are all alike, and I suppose we should not like you if you had not some pluck in you ; but when you come to my time of life, then perhaps you will begin to think twice about risking your bones.** I flushed up red with pleasure. It was very flatter- ing to my self-esteem to find that Miss Fitzgerald had noticed me, even in the smallest degree, though how she had contrived to distinguish me from Dicky I was at a loss to understand. I could only presume that Mr. Dimblebee had been her informant. "Your niece goes very hard herself!"! said, "I have never seen a lady ride better, or indeed, to speak quite correctly, so well. She is a perfect picture on horseback.'* ^>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) // :tf iA^^^ 1.0 I.I ■ 50 IL25 i 1.4 US 1^ m w vl ^;. °^? '/ M Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 V ,v 4^ o "^ v 6^ <> '9) ^ ^ <^ h 6^ ' i8 li 8i THE GIBL IN TH£ fiHOWN HABIT, The next minute I could have bitten out my tongue^ for allowing my enthusiasm to master me to such an extent ; but fortunately the observation did not appear to astonish Mr. Austen in the slightest, probably he was used to hearing his niece's horsemanship praised in glowing terms, and knew that it deserved every com- mendation. A shade passed over his face. " Ah ! " he said, with a downward droop of his clean- shaven lip. " Hunting is the only thing Nell and I fall out about. We are a most amicable couple, as a; rule, but I can't bear to see the child incurring any danger. It makes my blood run cold." " I can easily understand that." "And, you see, Nell does not know what nerves' mean. I have lost one creature that I loved," and Mr. Austen stifled a sigh, " 7 cannot afford to lose another. Nell, of course, hardly understands this, and is inclinedi to laugh a little at what she deems my unnecessary fears. Besides, she has the true sporting instinct strongly implanted within her bosom. She takes it: from her father, and it is in the blood." " Well ! " said I. " In my humble experience, I have invariably found that those men and women who- are fond of healthy, honest, out-door pursuits, have a. great deal more in them, are pleasanter, more straight- forward, natural, dependable, and upright, than the unfortunate beings — for they are greatly to be pitied — who care neither for horse or hound, and who cannot comprehend the simple, wholesome pleasure included in that one word. Sport. What would our English country life be without it? Mere stagnation." . " Yes, yes, that is very true," assented Mr. Austen, ** And I would not have Nell different even if I could. She is a dear, good, honest girl ; but, you see, she is all that remains to me, and I cannot help feeling alarmed when I hear of her jumping some tremendous big place." I could quite sympathize with his anxiety ; for, had not I myself experienced a curious stoppage of the heart when Nell had charged the timber ? MAKD^G FRIENDS. 89 tongue^ mch an b appear )ably he raised in iry com- is clean-^ II and I pie, a8 » ring any tt nerves' ' and Mr. another. i inclinedi necessary instinct takes it: rience, 1 )men who- 8, have a. straight- than the be pitied o cannot included English Austen, If I could. she is alt ^ alarmed idous big for, had re of the ' .u **At least,** I said, reassuringly, for seeing me in my present condition seemed somehow to have brought the dangers of hunting prominently before Mr. Austen's mind, " you have the satisfaction of knowing that Miss Fitzgerald is perfectly mounted. A great deal depends; upon that ; and the roan is a real clipper." "Yes, he's a good little beusl," said Mr. Austen. ** 1 think Nell is tolerably safe with him ; and, what'a more, they suit each other." ** Admirably. May I ask where you got him ?** " 1 bred him myself, and only wish 1 could breed half-a-dozen more of the same stamp ; but it's not to be done. Good horses are exceedingly difficult to tear." " Indeed they are,*' said I. " And even in Ireland they have become almost as scarce as they are here." " That is quite true; and our Government makes a great mistake in allowing so many valuable horses to go out of the country. Germany and America are gradually buying up our best blood. Already several choice strains are almost extinct.** ** You and my father would agree, Mr. Austen. He always says precisely the same thing." " Indeed ! Do you know I have a sort of an idea that yoMT father and i are old acquaintances. Was he not at Cambridge ?" " Yes, he went there in the year 1845." " Ah ! I thought so. Dear me I I remember Ned Mannington quite well. And so you are his son ? Now I come to look at you, I see a decided likeness.'*' And Mr. Austen peered kindly into my face. " My father would not feel flattered if he thought 1 resembled him." " Wouldn't he ? He was very fond of sport, I re- collect. You take after him there, at any rate." "The Manningtons," returned I, with a touch of pride, "are all, both male and female, notorious for their love of horseflesh. You see, Mr. Austen, they are not celebrated for their brains, so they most go iik for something." 90 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HARIT. ri He gave a quiet laugh, that had a kindly yet sceptical ring in it. " Come, come," he said, "you underrate your abilities. My belief is, that half you young fellows now-a-days don't a bit know whether you have got any brains or not. Life is made too easy for you by half. You sail smoothly down it, instead of learning to steer through the rocks and rapids." " In some cases, no doubt, but not in all. A poor man, for instance, does not lie on a bed of roses." " And why should strong young men expect to lie on beds of roses ?" " Ah, that is a different question altogether ; but, as a rule, their expectations are very much the result of their education." "Too much EQoney, too many comforts, and too great ease, ruin them," said Mr. Austen decidedly. " They make them selfish, idle, lazy, if not positively vicious. Men want work, to bring their faculties into play — just as a raw young yearling requires handling, before he learns how to carry himself. The molecules of the brain, like the muscles, need training, otherwise they are apt to degenerate." " I agree with you in much that you say," said I, " but what is to be done, where fathers are rich and wish their sons to enjoy the same advantages that they themselves possess? The young man then begins where the old one leaves off, and sees no occasion to make his way." "Yes, and ends in going to the bad altogether. But, as you say, the problem is a difficult one, and I suppose events alone will solve it. I still contend, however, that the minds of half the young fellows one meets now-a-days are like so much waste land that has never been reclaimed. If only put under cultivation, it is quite possible that in many cases the virgin soil would yield magnificent crops." I began to take a keen pleasure in the conversation. Mr. Austen was evidently a man far above the average, of original 'deas and shrewd intellect. 'I MAKING FRIENDS. 91 ** Let us hope that it may prove so in my case," I said) with a laugh ; " though, alas ! there are no signs of a rich harvest at present." " So you assert, and yet you read a book like this ? " And Mr. Austen took up a copy of Herbert Spencer's •* First Principles," which in Dicky's absence I had brought down, thinking to indulge in a quiet hour or two's reading. " Truth compels me to make the humiliating con- fession that I am a deception. So far I have scarcely read a word, and the probabilities are, even if I tried, should understand but very little. High philosophy is difficult of comprehension." ** Very likely ; with a head the size of a pumpkin, and your whole frame smarting from physical pain. It is well-nigh impossible under such circumstances to collect one's thoughts. But, at least, you had the intention of reading this book ? " " Well, yes ; I had the intention." ** Exactly, and I maintain that any young man of your years, who even has the luish to study Herbert Spencer, in his spare moments, cannot be wholly devoid of brains, and consequently ideas." " You give me credit for more than I possess." " No, only for more than you perhaps are conscious of. Some day a crisis will come in your life which will develop them. I judge people a great deal by the shape of their heads, and you have a good open forehead." After this manner did we converse so pleasantly and cordially on either side, that our surprise was mutual when the merry bells once more announced Nell's arrival. Mr. Austen took up his hat to depart. " I declare," he said, « I had no idea I had been here so long. It only shows how well you have en- tertained me." "The entertainment has been quite mutual," I replied. ' " Well, good-bye," said Mr. Austen, giving me a hearty shake of the JbandL "J must not keep Nell waiting, n THE GIRL nr THE BROWK HABIt. and be sure and come on Saturday* t shall expect you at eight sharp/' ** Allow me to see you to your carriage,** 1 said politely. " No, no, my dear fellow. Certainly not. I would Uot think of such a thing*" And Mr. Austen made as if tn. he in return, back before I is plenty of chap you are as a girl in |n these days curious, old- jort of thing. the modern me a Goth, does not in- It» followers iry, and real not disousB that point, else we shall drift into the old argument again." " Heaven preserve us ! " exclaimed Dicky in mock terror. " Very well then, go upstairs and get off your hunting kit, and when you come down we will ring the bell and indulge in the luxury of a cup of afternoon tea. I don't know how you feel, but I am most awfully thirsty." Dicky looked at my parched lips and burning cheeks. ** Poor old man," he said in tones of commiseration. " You are a bit feverish certainly, and I am sadly afraid won't feel up to hunting to-morrow." " Pooh ! Don't talk rubbish," I replied indignantly. But although I scouted the mere notion of being forced to stay at home on account of my injuries, when the morrow came Dicky's words proved right. I was so terribly stiff and sore, and the slightest movement was attended with so much pain, that after getting dressed and even having my horse saddled, I was obliged to give up all idea of going out hunting, for that day at least. It was dreadfully provoking ; but it could not be helped, since I really did not feel well enough to ride. Dicky kindly volunteered to keep me company, but I should have been a perfect heathen to accept his offer, and I naturally refused it. At the same time, I was none the less grateful to him for making it. Nevertheless, I felt rather like a bear with a sore head when I saw him depart, and went back alone to our little sitting-room, which in tha cold morning light of a dull wintry day looked many degrees less cheerful than on the previous afternoon. However, I managed to while away the morning somehow, and by the time I had eaten a biscuit or two, and drank a glass of sherry, I resigned myself to the inevitable and began to take a less melancholy view of the situation. By-and-by, the sun came out, and shone quite dazzlingly on the big window-panes of the houses opposite. THE QIRL IN TAB BROWN HABIt. w A sparrow commenced to chirp, flew down from the roof on the road below, and pecked about in search of food, and the sky suddenly changed from a leaden grey to a soft, beautiful, dreamy blue, flecked with thin clouds of airy white. Altogether it looked so fine and tempting, that I resolved to go out, and try if I could walk oif my stiff- ness. The fresh air, I was persuaded, would do me good ; besides. One wearied of being shut up in a small room, without any company whatsoever, though I could fancy the time passing pleasantly enough, if Nell occu- pied the arm-chair opposite mine, and — but there ! I would not allow myself to indulge in such foolish dreams, else the habit might become inveterate. My first visit was natural? y to the stables, where 1 found The Siren standing ir. her box, with bandaged legs, but apparently not much the worse for her ad- ventures of the previous day. She had escaped better than I. To my astonishment. Martingale gave an unexpect- edly good account of the mare's condition, and she appeared to have risen slightly in his esteem. The cause was not difficult to find. " I really do believe," said he, " that hunting agrees with her constitooshun ; for she fed better last night than she has done since she has been here." I expressed my satisfaction and enquired after the over-reach. ** Going on first-class, Captiu,** answered Martin- gale. " She'll be round by Tuesday or Wednesday, at the latest." ** Come ; that*s good news. And Golden Drop, how is he ? " And I moved on to the chestnut's box. "Pretty nearly sound, sir, — beg pardon, Captin I should say. I was a-thinking he'd do to come out Monday, if so be as how you were able to ride." " Ride ? Of course I shall. Cart ropes would not keep me in longer than to-day." "Very well, Captin, you know best. There's Obadiah, you could take him out to- morrow. He is • • I A 8IX-DAYS-A-WEEK MAN'S WIFE. fresh and hearty, and would do nicely for you to potter about on, if you did not feel quite up to the mark." ** Yes ; that's a good idea. I'll ride him first, and ■ee how I get on.** This weighty matter being settled, after some further desultory conversation with Martingale, who I was pleased to find improved on acquaintance, I started for a stroll through the town. It wanted twenty-five minutes to three, and I had still a longish afternoon before me. Having soon exhausted the sights of Whinboro* I directed my footsteps in the direction of Captain Hooper's house. Curiosity prompted me to ascertain what the abode of my hard-riding friend was like, and as we were to lunch there on Sunday it was just as well to know the way beforehand. But the road which led to The Lodge was rather steep — in my present limp condition I found it exceed- ingly so, and after proceeding slowly for about half a mile, I was not sorry to find the house within view. It was of medium size and built of red brick. It stood in the centre of a large grass field, and was approached by a short gravel drive. Several brood mares and young horses were grazing in this field, and in the one adjoining ; but I could perceive no garden of any sort, and the place appeared somewhat bare and dreary, being utterly devoid of trees. As I had no intention of going in, I stood for a few moments, resting on my stick and gazing at the country around, when suddenly I heard a brisk voice behind me say : " How do you do ? Were you going to pay my hus- band a visit ? If EO I am sorry he is not at home.*' I turned, and saw a neat, bright, intelligent-looking little woman of about eight-and-twenty. She was smart and spruce, and smiling, and seemed absolutely at her ease in thus addressing a complete stranger. ** I am Mrs. Hooper,'* she explained, seeing me at a loss for an immediate answer, " and I presume you are one of the gentlemen on whom I called yesterday. Harry told me to leave his cards, so after that it is il i-""l l,;ii i^'i lii ^!!«ii iw 100 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. not a bit of good our standing on ceremony. I hate ceremony, don't you ? " " Indeed I do," I responded heartily. And certainly there seemed little of it about Mrs. Hooper. She was perfectly unaffected and free from constraint, yet, at the same time, neither vulgar nor unfeminine. She gave one the impression of being a bright, cheery person, who did not know the meaning of the word Pessimism. Such people possess the gift of illumining the more sombre paths of their less happily consti- tuted neighbours. I raised my hat and bowed. "I met your husband out hunting yesterday," I replied, " and he was good enough to ask me and my friend, Mr. Dawson, to lunch with him on Sunday." " Did he ? Well, that was stupid of Harry. He knows quite well that we have promised to stay at Cattington Towers from Saturday till Monday. Keally, Harry's memory grows worse and worse." And the little woman looked quite distressed. " Never mind," I said, " any other day will suit just as well, and if you are going to Cattington Towers we shall at any rate have the pleasure of meeting you there^ since Mr, Austen has kindly asked us to dinner on Saturday evening." " Ah ! you have made his acquaintance, then. Do you not find him an extremely charming old gentleman ? '* "Yes, he struck me as being one of the most agreeable men I ever met." " And Nell," continued Mrs. Hooper, in an animated voice ; " you know her. Is she not a dear ? " This point-blank question was very confusing. I coloured and drew into my shell, like a snail that has been sharply touched by some rude hand. " I have merely been introduced to Miss Fitz- gerald," I replied stiffly, "and am not qualified to express my opinion." " Dear me ; how cautious you are. I believe everybody formr impressions at first sight. One !": ill. Itii! , A SIX-DAYS-A-WEEK MAN'S WIFE. J J,: of the most ktiows at once whether one likes or dislikes a person.'* " That may be, only sometimes it becomes necessary to modify one's ideas. But," 1 added hastily, for we were getting on to dangerous ground^, "I am keeping you standing, Mrs. Hooper, and I must not do that. Which way were you going ? " " I was going home. Will you not come in and pay me a visit ? Now confess that when I met you, you did not know what on earth to do with yourself." I smiled. " Mrs. Hooper," I said, " you possess great powers of penetration." " No, not of penetration, but perhaps of sympathy. I can quite feel for yoii in your present position. It is dull for any one to be much alone." " Have you experienced that ? " I asked. "I can't help it," she said penitently. "You see, Harry is always out hunting, and I am only too thankful when any good Samaritan will take com- passion on my solitude." She said the words very simply; not like one if she were And I felt who states a grievance, but rather as ashamed of confessing her sentiments, sorry for her. It is not all sunshine for a woman who marries a six-days-a-week man, however good a fellow he may oe, when he leaves her the live-long day to amuse herself as best she can, and his whole thoughts are centred in horses and hounds. He comes back tired, speaks little, eats a good dinner, goes to sleep and snores in an arm-chair, then retires to bed. The wife does not trouble him much. His affections are of a placid order, and so long as he is content he imagines she ought to be so also. He- cannot realize the long, weary hours, the silent house,, the solitary lunch, and total want of companionship,, which to an active-minded, intelligent woman, naturally fond of society, must prove dreary and monotonous ini the extreme. fij m 102 THE GIRL IK THE BROWK HABIT. III " Do you not hunt yourself ? " I asked, in tones of compassion, as all this shot through my mind, and we walked towards the house. A shadow passed over her lively features. " No," she said, in a subdued voice. ** I suppose you don't care for it ? " I said interro- gatively. " Yes, I do ; I care for it more than for anything almost, but," and she broke ofif suddenly. Then she gave her head a little proud loss, and resumed in her usual tone : " After all, there is no reason why I should not tell you the truth. It is a mean thing to feel ashamed of one's position. The fact is, about two years ago, Harry lost the greater part of his fortune in some wretched bank that went smash, and he could not afford to go on hunting, as a gentleman, so he took to horse dealing ; do you understand ? " I nodded my head. "There is generally a prejudice against people In our position adopting such a profession as a means of livelihood," went on Mrs. Hooper, frankly, ** but Harry is very clever where horses are concerned, and besides," and a tender look stole into her bright eyes, " he is a popular man. We go on the principle that honesty is the best policy, and we have been fortunate enough to do very well. Harry not only gets his sport for nothing, but turns an honest penny." " I am glad to hear it," said I heartily, " if only for his wife's sake." Mrs. Hooper laughed. The best woman alive is not insensible to an implied compliment. " You give me credit for being better than I am," she said simply ; " but you see now how it is that Harry cannot afford to mount me as well as himself. Dear old boy ! He will give me a horse as soon as ever h* can find the money, but until I am able to have one of my very own, which will not require to be sold at the yearly sale, he thinks it wiser, and so do T, for me \o g^ve up hunting. He has a horror of my being li ...' ■ ■';* A SIX-DAYS-A-WEEK MAN'S WIFE. 103 lid interro- mixed up in the horse-dealing business, and though he has no pride for himself, it is nice of him to have some where his wife is concerned ; don't vou think so?" And she looked into my face appealingly. I said, " Yes." For now that I learnt her husband hunted from necessity, not entirely from choice, it altered my views considerably. **What horse was that he rode yesterday?" I enquired. " Do you mean dear old Jumping Jim ? That is the one horse Harry vows he never will part with. He saved his life once, by swimming across some wide river, and Harry declared he would keep him all his days." She was a good little soul, this Mrs. Hooper, and her affection for "Harry" was truly beautiful. It set me thinking what a lucky fellow he was to have inspred it. " And do you often feel dull ? " I asked. By this time we had entered the house, and had seated cur- selves in the small, prettily furnished drawing-room. " Now and again," she replied truthfully. " It is diflScult to be cheerful always. Still I ought not to complain. People are very good to me, and, as a rule, Harry does not stay out late. Then there is Nellie Fitzgerald." " Do you see much of her ? " " Yes ; we meet nearly every day. She and I are tremendous friends. Two years ago, when all our money misfortunes occurred, Nell was in great trouble too, and we got to know each other very intimately. Poor little Nell ! " And a sudden moisture twinkled in Mrs. Hooper's dark eyes, which endeared her to me there and then, " I would give a great deal to see her happy." " Is she not happy ? " I said, in a trembling voice. " No ; I am afraid not." A pause ensued. , * There wa& a velvet cover on the table near which % '''»i I: I 'i 104 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. was seated. It had a worsted fringe. I began ner- vously twisting and untwisting the ends with my great clumsy fingers. " Was there — not — some unfortunate love affair ? " I said at last. Mrs. Hooper locked at me sharply. ** Ah ! you have heard of it then ? " ** I have heard rumours to that effect." , "Nellie has changed very much since then,'* said Mrs. Hooper, as if speaking more to herself than to me. " Poor little girl ! " I murmured under my breath. " Before that," continued my companion, " she was like a young kitten, so full of life and spirits ; now she is a woman, and one moreover who entertains a pro- found disbelief of man. It is quite sad to see a mert girl so thoroughly disillusioned." " I suppose some brute of a fellow treated her badly Eh ? » 1 was afraid Mrs. Hooper might think the question impertinent, but she answered frankly : "Not only badly, but cruelly, infamously. It has been a sad story from first to last, and nobody knows what that poor girl has suffered in consequence." I cannot tell what sudden impulse seized me, but my blood seemed literally on fire. I got up from my seat and crossed the room to where Mrs. Hooper was sitting. " Mrs. Hooper," 1 said ; " will you tell me Miss Fitz- gerald's history ? But, perhaps, I have no right to ask, if so, pray forgive me." She seemed surprised at the request, and turned her bright, piercing eyes full upon mine. As she gazed at me, their expression gradually softened. I felt some- how that I was on probation, but I did not flinch from her glance. Then, after a pause, which seemed to me never ending, though it could only have lasted a few seconds, she said : " Yes, I will. For Nell's sake I do not often speak Af the Pq,st ; but you have ^o honest face, that inspires NELL'S FIRST LOVE AFFAIR lOl me with confidence, and, rightly or wrongly, I will trust you with my friend's story." 1 pressed her hand in mine. ** Thank you," I said seriously ; " I promise never to abuse your trust, and you are very good to accede to my request." So saying, I took a chair, seated myself close to Mrs. Hooper's side, and leaned forward in an attitude of expectation. CHAPTER XIII. Nell's first love affair. •om to where Mrs. Hooper cleared her throat, and without further preliminary began. " You have probably heard," she said, " that Nell is a great heiress. Two years ago, when she was eighteen — a mere child in point of years — there came to Whinboro' a young man named De Courcy. Nobody knew anything of him, but he was good-looking, gentle- manly and agreeable, and appeared to have money at his commai^d. Consequently, before long, he was received by most of the county people, and amongst others he made the acquaintance of our friends at Cattington Towers. Mr. De Courcy gave himself out ns being of French -Canadian extraction. He stated he was an orphan, and that his' guardian had advised him to come to England, in order to see the country and become acquainted with its national sports. Therefore he had determined to take up his abode at Whinboro' for the winter. He owned four or five good horses, seemed fairly well off, and nobody doubted his word. ** From the first moment he set eyes on Nellie Fits> gerald, he paid her the most marked attention. One would have said he had no thought for anybody else. Nell is not a girl to succumb through gratified vanity alone, and at first she appeared more or less indifferent 108 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. to De Courcy ; but they met constantly in the hunting field, and elsewhere, and by degrees the curious fascina- tion of the man's manner wrought its charm upon her, and she ended by falling desperately in love with him. Their attachment seemed mutual. De Courcy pro- posed and was accepted; Mr. Austen disapproved of the match. For some reason or other he had never liked the young man, and he sought to make inquiries respecting him. These inquiries, I believe, were not attended with any result. De Courcy was poor. His entire fortune consisted of some six hundred a year. Nell, however, declared that she was rich enough for both of them, and eventually overruled her uncle's objections. They were publicly engaged, and all Whinboro' knew that Reginald De Courcy was to marry the wealthy heiress, Nellie Fitzgerald. At length the wedding day was fixed." Mrs. Hooper remained silent for a second or two, as if recalling the events that had occurred, then resumed : ** One afternoon, exactly a fortnight before the marriage was to have taken place, Nell sent a line asking me to go over to the Towers and inspect her presents. I did so, and she and I were alone, looking at a case of very handsome jewellery, received from her uncle the day before, when a servant came into the room and said there was a young woman down below who insisted on seeing Miss Fitzgerald. " * Show her up,' said Nell gaily. * You don'^ mind, do you, dear? ' turning to me. * No doubt it is one of Madamfc Lupin's girls, come from Littlehampton to try on my travelling dress.' " So the stranger was ushered into Nell's boudoir. " She proved to be a tall, handsome young woman, with blue eyes and jet black hair, that contrasted well with her pale, creamy complexion. She was neatly dressed in black, and looked very nearly, though not quite a lady. There was just an indefinable something wanting. Her age might have been two or three and twenty, but it was ditticult to tell exactly, since her countenance was prematurely lined and careworn, like KELL'S FIRST LOVfi ATFAIIl, 107 one who, though she had not lived long, had suffered much. In her arms she carried a child of a few months old, and by her side toddled a little girl of two or three. She stood at the threshold of the door, and looked with great hollow eyes, first at Nell and then at me, and said in a low voice : ** * Which of you two ladies is Miss Fitzgerald ? * ** * I am,* answered Nell, rising from her chair, a little startled by the solemnity of her visitor's manner. " The other clutched her by the hand, and gazed into NelFs face. Then she loosed her hold and said despairingly : " * Yes, you are pretty ; much prettier and younger than I am. I might have known how it would be ; ' and she forced back a sob. " There was something so sad and touching in the way she said these words, that Nell, I could see, felt sorry for her. " * Is there anything I can do to help you ? * she said kindly. ' You seem in great trouble.* ** * No, you can do nothing ; nobody can help me,* replied the stranger, and as she spoke the tears trickled down her pale cheeks. She wiped them hastily away, then with an effort said : * But I did not come here to talk of myself. It is you who, if possible, I wish to save.* " * Me ? * exclaimed Nell in surprise. " * Yes, you. Are you not going to be married to Eeginald De Courcy ? * ** ' I am. Our wedding takes place on this day fort- night.* " * Thank God ! * exclaimed the young woman, clasp- ing her hands together with a gesture of relief. * There is still time to prevent it.' " * Prevent it, woman ! What do you mean ? ' " * I have travelled many weary miles ; I have known no rest by day or by night ; I have sought your address for weeks until at last an accident revealed it to me, and now I have come to save you from marrying a very bad, wicked man.* r I'J 106 THE GIKL IN THE BROWN HABIT. *« * Bad ! Wicked 1 * cried Nell indignantly, flushing up to the roots of her hair in defence of De Courcy. How dare you say such a thing to me ? You do not even know the gentleman of whom you speak in these abusive terms.' " The other gave a bitter laugh of mingled scorn and pain. It struck terror into my heart, for I seemed to know by instinct what was coming. " * Don't I ? ' she said fiercely. * I who am as good as married to him, and in the sight of God am his real wife. True, I have no legal claim upon him, I can- not force him to do me justice, and knowing all, you can still take him for your husband if you choose. Such things happen every day in this wicked world. We poor women are cast aside by the men who have deceived us with their fair words and false promises ; but if you marry Reginald De Courcy you shall not do so with your eyes shut. Why,' and she pointed to the two children, * these poor innocents are his; he is their father. What greater proof do you desire than that?' " Nell turned deadly pale and trembled in every limb. Even now she tried to be loyal to her love, and refused to believe a word against him. " * It is false,' she cried hoarsely, lifting up both her hands as if to ward off a bitter blow. * You are only saying these terrible things to try me.' " * It is not false,' returned the stranger, in jalm, emphatic tones, whose quiet carried greater conviction than the stormiest denial. * I wish to God it were. Listen. Reginald De Courcy, for all his good looks, smooth tongue and fascinating manners, is a liar, a scoundrel, and a base, dishonourable man, there ! ' Then her voice dropped almost to a whisper, and a weary, weary look stole into her handsome young face. < But I love him in spite of it all,' she moaned. * I love him still, and would forgive him everything if only he would come back to me again.' "Nell caught at the words, as a drowning man catches at a straw. m NELL'S FIRST LOVE AFFAIR. 109 " * Aha ! ' she said angrily. * You love him, do you ? and you are jealous, and so you come here and try to take him away from me by inventing wicked stories. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.' " The other bore her reproof meekly. " * Poor thing,' she muttered. * Poor thing, 1 am sorry for you.' " * But you cannot take my Reginald from me,' con- tinued Nell defiantly, emboldened by her visitor's meekness. * You ca. not do it. He loves me too well, and I love him better than anything on this earth. Gro away, you bad woman. This is no place for you.' And beside herself, she strove to push the stranger out at the door. I had never seen Nell so fierce, and I realized for the first time how deeply she cared for this man. " The young woman did not lose her self-possession. Her face turned a shade paler, as she listened to Nell's wild words, and her under-lip quivered a little, but she merely put her hand into her pocket and drew out a letter. '* Both Nell and I immediately recognized De Courcy's handwriting. It was a very peculiar one, large and bold and round. " * Miss Fitzgerald,' she said, with a quiet dignity that subdued us both, *you have called me a bad woman, and perhaps you may be right. If it is bad to love a man to distraction, to be misled by his promises into making one lapse from virtue, which destroys your self-respect, embitters your days, and lowers your womanhood, then I am, as you say, a very bad and wicked woman ; but I am not so bad as to willingly give you pain. I have suffered too much myself to wish, needlessly, to inflict it upon others. I hoped you would have believed my word, and that, at all events, the sight of the children would have convinced you; but since this appears insufficient, it is better for both our sakes — for yours and for mine — that you should read this letter, written by your lover. You will then see Reginald De Courcy in his true light.' vi ■v.. g Sc?iTa! r j?X G r! ij.'iU!:; no THE OIRL IN t^E BROWN tiAfiW. '* There was iomething so terribly impressive abont her manner of saying these words, that it carried con- viction to my heart. I felt myself shiver. As for Nell, she had Lot courage to read the fatal letter, which she seemed to recognize would prove a death-blow to all her hopes. She signed to me to do so. The contents were as follows — they will always remain branded on my memory : •**Dear«:st Lotty, — I have received your two last letters, and admit that I have been some time in answering them ; but I have a piece of news to tell you, which will account for my silence. You must not be surprised at it ; and I hope you will behave like a good, sensible girl, and wish me joy. You write asking for money ; but, as you very well know, I have none to give. It is as much as I can do to rub along myself. But very soon I hope to be in a position to maintain you and the children more comfortably. The fact is, I am going to be married. Now don't howl and cry your eyes out. The water-work business only annoys me. The young lady is one Miss Fitzgerald, a great heiress. She is a good little thing in her way, and very fond of me. But you need not feel jealous ; for, though she will be my wife, you will always have my heart ; and after a bit we shall be able to meet again as usual. Until then, dearest Lotty, ** * Believe me, yours ever, . " • Reginald De Couroy.* *'That letter revealed the whole character of the man ; the eold, heartless libertinism, the egotism, and revolting mercenariness. He was evidently leyal neither to the old love nor to the new. When I finished reading, Nell gave one piteous cry, like a creature that has been wounded to the death, and fell fainting on the floor. ^< Lotty rushed to her assistance, i turned indig- nantly upon her. •* * Leave us to our misery,' I said roughly. * It is NELL'S FIRST LOVE AFFAUL 11] you who have brought Miss Fitzgerald to this pass. You had do business to tell her such a tale of wrong and shame.' •* The next minute I was sorry for having spoken so unkindly; but, in moments of sudden passion, it is impossible to choose one's words. The tears were standing in Lotty's eyes, and rolling down her thin, pale cheeks. " * What could I do ? * she said, humbly. * It would have been wicked to let her marry him. She was young and pure and innocent ; and he would only have made her miserable. Besides,' she went on, huskily, • I — surely, I— and the children had the greatest claim upon him. You forget that we came first.' "My heart bled for the poor humiliated woman, stripped qf all her illusions, robbed of her happiness, shorn of her self-respect and social standing, with nothing save the shattered remnants of a great undy- ing love left behind. Sad as was Nell's position, hers was infinitely sadder. I bowed my head like one rebuked. ^ " * Forgive me,* I said. * You are in the right, and have behaved nobly in coming here ; but, nevertheless, it is better now that you should go. Leave me the letter, so that I may show it to Mr. Austen. The engagement must be broken off immediately. There is not a minute to lose.' " " Ah ! you did right there," I interrupted eagerly, breaking in upon Mrs. Hooper's story. Hitherto I had listened to it in silence, but with a rising lump in my throat. Now I could contain my- self no longer. " The d d scoundrel," I hissed through my set teeth. " I would give half a year's income to horse- whip him as he deserves." Mrs, Hooper smiled approval. " I am glad to hear you say that," she said, " for it shows at any rate that all men are not alike, and that there are a few good ones about." " Alike ! Thank goodness, no ! But what of Nell-^ M I llllilll I ^f M i lit THE OIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. MiH8 Fitzgerald, I mean ? How did she bear the blow ? No wonder her face has that sad look when in repose." " Very patiently, poor dear ; but she had loved De Couroy well and truly, and she has never quite recovered from his treachery. "*It was only my money he wanted, Fanny,* she said piteously, about six weeks later. * He pretended to care for me so much ; but he did not a bit, really. He told me he would always be honest and true, that no other woman could ever be the same to him, and I — I was a little fool, and believed what he said. Fanny,' and she looked up into my face with tearful eyes, * are all girls as silly as I have been ? * " * You have not been silly, my darling. Don*t say such a thing.* " * And are all men so bad ? Oh ! Fanny, I did not think they could be so wicked. I shall never, never, NEVER trust one again ! Whenever they make pretty speeches to me in future, T shall say to myself: ** Yes, that's all very fine; but you are telling me stories. You just make up to me because I have money, and would say exactly the same things to the next woman you meet." Shakespeare was right when he made the forsaken Julia say : " Man were perfect, were he but constant." I don't believe there is a constant man on the face of this earth.' " You may imagine," said Mrs. Hooper, " that it was terrible to me to hear poor Nell talk like this, and yet all the time I could not help feeling it to be only natural. She has had dozens of proposals since the De Courcy affair, but nothing will induce her to listen to any of them. If you ask her why, she says she cannot bear men." "Poor little girl ! " I exclaimed sympathetically. ** I can quite understand her dislike." " You see, the shock was so great," went on my com- panion. " Nell was as innocent as a child. She had no idea of what took place in the world. She believed everybody was good and pure like herself, and then all at once, vast undreamt-of depths of iniquity seemed NELL'S FIRST LOVE AFFAIR. 113 suddenly opened out, whilst the knowledge that Hueh things existed, literally -appalled her youthful spirit. That is where you men have cause to congratulate yourselves. In nine cases out of ten you marry ignorant young girls who believe in you, and who really imagint that when they surrender their youthful affections, their lover loves them in return as thev do him. But when a few years have passed over their heads, and they learn what poor old, battered, worn-out hearts are offered in exchange for their fresh ones, then they do not enter quite so readily into the matrimonial bargain. They see that one side gives all, the other very little, and they are not so easily caught by a few pretty speeches, which have been poured forth into the ears of dozens of other women. We learn our experience in process of time ; but it comes hardly to most of us, and Nell is no exception to the rule. I question much now whether she will ever marry. She has conceived such an inveterate dislike to the male sex. She talks to them, and fulfils all the obligations of society, but as she often says, men are no more to her now than so many wooden blocks." ** I don't wonder at it," I said. " If anybody had treated me as that scoundrel De Courcy treated Miss Fitzgerald, I should feel precisely the same. People should leave her alone, and not worry her with their attentions for a time, until at all events she recovers a little more from the shock she has undergone. Girls are very tender things, and I often think we men do not half understand them properly." , Mrs. Hooper looked at me in astonishment. " What ! " she exclaimed. " Do you not contradict me when I abuse your sex, or like all the other men I have met attempt to defend your own species ? Truly you surprise me, and for a man appear unusually generous." "Not generous, only just. I grieve at the great suffering and woe we so often inflict, and I thank you, Mrs. Hooper, for telling me this story. I trust that it way help to make me more tender and considerate to zsart i^}"^ " 114 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. women in the future. They have a great deal to bear and to suffer in this world, and the strong are not nearly kind enough to them." The tears sprang into Mrs. Hooper's eyes. She took my hand in hers, and pressed it warmly. ' " You are a good fellow," she said. " A real good fellow, and I wish — I wish " breaking off. short. "Well!" I enquired with a smile. "What is it that you wish?" " That Nell might get to know you as you deserve to be known. It would do her more good than any- thing." I blushed scarlet. "No, no," 1 stammered hurriedly. "You — ^you forget that I am a poor man. I would not marry a girl for her money if it were ever so " Mrs. Hooper interrupted me. " I did not mean that," she said eagerly. ** I meant if you were to fall in lo — well, never mind, what I meant. I hardly know myself. Only before you go, promise me one thing." " Willingly," I replied. "Don't let Nell know that I have told you her history. Of course the people about here are all aware of it, and sooner or later you would have heard the matter talked of, but she might not like my speaking of her troubles to a comparative stranger. Only some- how you don't seem a bit like a stranger to me." " Don't be afraid," I said earnestly. " I will never willingly, either by word or deed, do anything to annoy Miss Fitzgerald. She has suffered quite enough as it is, and I only wish it were in my power to lighten her pain." And so saying I rose to wish Mrs. Hooper good-bye. "We shall meet on Saturday," she said, "and although we cannot have the pleasure of seeing you here next Sunday, you must come again very soon." I promised to do so. Mr?. Hooper had been kind enough to call me a good fellow. I felt precisely the same sentiment towards her. DICKY MAKES THE RUNNING. 115 We had been tSte-a-Ute for over an hour, and during the whole of the time she had been perfectly open and honest and unceremonious. She was one of those rare women, who, satisfied with her own husband, is content to be a man's friend and nothing more. It is a pity such women do not exist in greater numbers, for there is something so genial, pleasant and restful in their society, that we of the sterner sex cannot choose but feel its subtle charm. We are in no danger of falling in love with our fair friends ; indeed we recognize that their affections are otherwise en- gaged, but our respect and esteem is theirs, and they inspire sentiments that far prettier women do not succeed in giving birth to. They are in short " good fellows." I left Mrs. Hooper's house, determining to revisit it on the earliest opportunity. I had learned much that I wished to know, and the knowledge filled me with a tender yearning. • I longed to take Nellie Fitzgerald in my arms and comfort the poor, dear, ill-used little soul to the best of my feeble ability. In imagination my shyness had taken wings. I pictured myself pouring loving words into her small pink ear, which should heal the aching heart that had been so cruelly wounded. A man had inflicted the hurt, and it seemed to me a man's duty to try and cure it. CHAPTER XIV. DICKY MAKES THE RUNNINO. On my return home I found Dicky, who had just come back from hunting, and who appeared in an extremely elated and self-satisfied condition. " So sorry you weren't out, old chappie," he said to 116 i:he girl in the brown habit. me as I entered the room ; ** we have had a ripping run of over an hour and three-quarters ; the first forty minutes at tip-top pace, and with scarcely a check." « Indeed ! " I replied. " Did you kill your fox ? " "Yes, we ran into him in the open. He was a splendid old fellow, with a white tag to his brush, and we never changed foxes all the way." " How is it you are home so early ? " " It is past four," said Dicky, looking at his watch. " But the fact was, the gees were pretty well cooked ; so we one-horse men were. obliged to retire from the scene of action." " And how did the mare carry you ? " He had ridden the one whose purchase he regretted, but who from the first I rather fancied. ** Capitally. She could not have gone better if she had been accustomed to the Shires all her life. I retract my remark about her being under-sized ! She jumped first-class, and in fact covered herself with glory." " In which honours you, I presume, participated ? " said I, with a smile. An expression of complacency stole over Dicky's countenance. " XL don't do to boast of one's own performances, but to tell you the truth. Miles, I held a capital place throughout. Whichever way I turned, I seemed as if I could not go wrong. But if you want to hear all about the run, ask Miss Fitzgerald." " Miss Fitzgerald ! Was she out ? " "Very much so, and going like a bird — bang up in front from first to last. I wouldn't mind betting a pony that there are not half-a-dozen women in the kingdom who can beat her across a country." " Did you see much of her then ? " I asked. " As good luck would have it, a great deal," replied Dicky. " How was that ? " " Why, we happened to make an awfully lucky turn iv^ DICKY MAKES THE RUNNING. 117 >iirhich saved us nearly half a mile, just too when the ftiorses were getting blown; but to do so we had to Tide pretty straight, and negotiate three or four un- commonly nasty fences — not ones fit for a lady to jump, I mean." "And did Miss Fitzgerald follow you?" I asked, realizing something of Mr. Austen's anxiety, when he wished Nell would go quietly to hounds. ** Yes, without turning a hair. I hardly know which to admire most, herself or the chestnut-roan. They are both rippers." And Dicky sent a cloud of tobacco smoke flying into the air, and puffed energetically at his favourite old cherry-wood pipe. " Then I am to understand that you had the dis- tinguished honour of leading Miss Fitzgerald ? " I said, not without a slight feeling of soreness at my own ill- luck, which had prevented me from having a similar chance. " Well, yes," replied Dicky, trying to look modest but failing signally in the attempt. " The young lady was good enough to select me for her pilot." ** I hope you took care of her ? " " Of course. My dear Miles, do you take me for a bear ? " " You introduced yourself, I suppose ? " "Nothing of the sort," said Dicky, triumphantly. ** She spoke to me first." "What did she say?" I was aware of my curiosity, but could not check it. " Something about our being in for a first-rate run,, and she asked me not to hang at my fences because her horse was a bit of a rusher," ** Were you hanging, Dicky ? If so, that was very unlike your usual form." " Now, Miles, is it likely ? " said he in an injured tone. " Miss Fitzgerald merely made the remark in case I might think she did not give me enough time at my fences. But she is far too good a horsewoman to knock a fellow down." ♦* Altogether, you seem to have made an impression.*' I ii f :'l f I 118 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. Dicky chuckled softly over his pipe, and showed two rows of beautifully even teeth. *.* I tell you what, Miles," he said, " she's a real nice girl, that." " Oh, indeed ! Have you only just made that magnificent discovery ? " " In fact," continued Dicky seriously, " she'll do,*^ " Do ! For whorh ? For what ? Explain yourself.'" " Come shut up, Miles ; none of your chaff." •* I'm not chaffing, my dear fellow," I said, feeling terribly grim. " What I mean," went on Dicky reflectively, " is, that Miss F. is a good sort. She's jolly, nice looking, has no humbug about her, is fond of sport, and last, but not least, is the fortunate possessor of lots of coin. Under these circumstances, I can pass her." " You are very good," I said sneeringly. " No doubt Miss Fitzgerald would feel immensely flattered if she could hear you at the present moment." After the story I had just been listening to of De Courcy's heartless conduct, and poor Nell's despair and disgust at discovering the depravity of the man in whom she had believed so fully, it made me literally mad to hear Dicky talk in this flippant, calculating way. Miss Fitzgerald seemed to me almost sacred, and it was torture to hear her discussed in the coarse, loose fashion current amongst men of the world. ** I'll tell her what I think of her before long," re- plied Dicky, with abominable self-sufficiency. " Quick, and to the point ; that's my motto on these occasions. There is nothing to be gained by hanging about, pen- ning sonnets to your lady's eyebrows, and then not having courage to deliver them. Take the citadel by storm, and all opposition vanishes as if by magic." " Young puppy," I muttered under my breath, then aloud : " I don't agree with you, Dicky. You talk of Miss Fitzgerald as if she were some ignorant school-girl ; whereas, depend upon it, she has a pretty intimate ac- quaint^npe with heiress h^njLeJ:s, and is quite sharp DICKY MAKES THE RUNNING. 119 enough to see through their designs. You are by no means the first handsome young Adonis who has laid his heart and hand at her feet, with a modest request that the treasures may be accepted.** "Never mind," returned Dicky, with undisturbed good humour, for upon this particular afternoon he was clearly on far too good terms with himself to be annoyed by any amount of plain speaking. " There is no harm in trying, and it does not follow, even though dozens of other men have failed, that I should do so likewise." ** If you try to the end of time," I said, " you will never succeed. For goodness* sake leave the poor girl alone, and don't bother her with your attentions." Dicky opened his blue eyes wide in insulted amaze- ment. " Bother the poor girl with my — my attentions ! ** he repeated indignantly. ** Well, I'm dashed ! that is a joke." And he gave vent to a forced laugh. " I suppose you imagine it quite impossible for any woman not to appreciate them — eh ? " He recovered himself sufficiently to say : ** I have not met with one yet who did not. The more compliments you pay the sex, and the thicker you lay it on all round, the better pleased they are." " Some, perhaps," I returned sceptically, " but not all; and you make a great mistake in taking it for granted that every girl resembles the fast, flirty young women with whom you are in the habit of associating. Even in the nineteenth century there are a few modest ones about." " They are mighty scarce,** interrupted Dicky. *' I am sorry you should entertain such an opinion of ladies in general," I replied. " It only proves your knowledge of real ladies to be slight." " And I maintain that you are absurdly Quixotic,** retaliated he ; " quite childishly so." ** Very well. Time will show which of us is right ; and if Miss Fitzgerald consents to become Mrs. Bichard Dawson before our leave is out and we say . H'A I' ■lll!< m THE GIRL IN TH^ BftOWN ItABl?. good-bye to the Shires, then I shall confess myself to having been utterly and completely in the wrong." Dicky was a veritable child in his humours. He caught eagerly at the mere suggestion of such good fortune. ** By Jove, Miles," he exclaimed, " what a grand thing it would be ! I would make merry at the Towers, and have you to stay with me all the hunting season." " It would be just about the very worst thing that could happen to you," I replied, coolly. " And I cer- tainly should not avail myself of your invitation." " Why not ? " " Because if you had nothing to do, nothing to wish for, nothing to make you work, and develop your natural abilities, you would quickly degenerate into an idle, selfish, despicable fellow." And so saying, I took up my hat and walked out of the room, leaving Dicky to digest my remarks as best he could. Fortunately he was pretty well accustomed to the wholesome truths with which I considered it my duty to deluge him, and they did not occasion that offence which they might have done had they come from any other quarter. We snarled and growled at each other, but with the ex- ception of the one topic on which we could not agree, we managed to get on very well on the whole, ar i had remarkably few quarrels of a really serious nature. That night my slumbers were again disturbed. The story of Reginald De Courcy jaunted my brain, and I could not succeed in banishing it. I longed to tell Dicky what I had heard, partly for his own and partly for Nell's sake. If I could, I would have saved him from the humiliation of descending to the same level as De Courcy, and I felt certain that all his flowery speeche'S would fall upon barren ground, and produce no other result save that of earning Nell's con- tempt. Nevertheless, the promise made to Mrs. Hooper effectually sealed my lips, since it would have been dishonourable to break it. And yet — shall I confess my own unworthy weakness, in spite of the conviction that Dicky's suit would not DICKY MAKES THE RUNNING. 121 prosper as he so confidently anticipated, I felt jealous of the boy; jealous of his good looks, bright, easy manner, and sublime self-assurance. I had never coveted these things before, but now they seemed to me most enviable possessions. I would have given halt a kingdom to have had the same serene confidence in my own powers of fascination. It gave a man boldness and courage, those very qualities which my friend assured me women prized so highly. Whereas I, even whilst thinking most tenderly of her 1 loved, was filled with so many doubts and hesitations, accompanied by so crushing a sense of my short-comings, that my heart failed me at the very outset. Then I took to wondering, as I tossed between the sheets, whether Nell would go hunting on the morrow. I weighed over the pros and the cons, until at length I reluctantly came to the conclusion that the proba- bilities were entirely in favour of her staying at home. She was not likely to be out two days running. The fatigue was too much for her slender frame ; and, besides, she had already ridden Sweetheart, and could not possibly hunt him again so soon. Ah ! if I had only known for certain, I would have defied my aching limbs and back, and gone twenty miiGS, on the chance alone, of seeing her. No power on earth could have kept me at home. But now I must wait until the evening of the next day. It seemed a long time, but perhaps, if fortune were kind, I might have the good luck to sit beside her. Mrs. Hooper had said, it was only to be a small party — an informal meeting of friends, such as often proves truly enjoyable — and at the dinner-table, where conversation is more or less a bounden duty, and the guest is expected to make himself agreeable to his hostess, my horrible, oppressive, suffocating shyness might gradually melt away, and enable me to appear to moderate advantage. Brilliant I never was, but I could behave like any ordinary member of society, and engage some small share of Nell's attention. I did not approve of Dicky's li -I I 1 : ^ M 122 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. advice ; but I would profit by it in a slight degree. I would force myself to speak, and not give Nell the op- portunity of seeing how deeply the mere thought of her affected my whole being. I had heard it said that a man should never allow a woman to know how great is her influence over him. I must not let Nell suspect that a glance from her clear brown eyes had power to set my heart a-beating, and my blood a-dancing, until I hardly knew myself as the plain, sober Miles Man- nington, who — save his mother — had never cared for any woman upon earth. I was bewitched ; but a few remnants of common sense still remained to save me from making an utter fool of myself. Thus musing, at last I fell asleep, and dreamed un- easy dreams, that prevented me from deriving much, benefit from my slumbers. CHAPTER XV. THROWN OUT. The cold, wintry sun was shining in at my window on the following morning, when I awoke ; and Dicky, fully equipped for the chase, stood close at my bed-side. His voice, in fact, first brought me back to conscious- ness. " HuUoa, old man ! " he exclaimed, as I stretched myself with a yawn. " Awake at lact ? Upon my word, I began to think I never should succeed in rous- ing you. It's past nine o'clock, and breakfast is on the table." " You don't say so ! " I ejaculated. " It is, indeed ; and Martingale has sent in to know if you are going hunting to-day or not. He said you did not give him any positive orders yesterday." " Of course I'm going," I replied, jumping — or rather trying to jump — out of bed ; for I found I Was still very fitiff, and not able to move with my usual alacrity. I THROWN OUT. 123 determined, however, to play the invalid no longer, and decided to try the eflfect of active exercise on my aching muscles. " If the worst comes to the worst, I can always ride about," I said to myself, consolingly. " It's better than stopping at home, at any rate." So I dressed in haste, swallowed my breakfast with all the dispatch which that important meal will allow of, and an hour later was well on my way to covert. Unfortunately Obadiah did not possess the smooth, easy paces of The Siren. He was a round, cobby- shaped horse, very strong in the back, with not the best of shoulders, and his trot even under the most favourable conditions was remarkable for its roughness. He shuffled along, and his wretched rider had to bump, wriggle, and rise, rise, wriggle, and bump as best he could. To-day I found this pastime particularly trying ; more especially when the under-bred old brute changed his legs — a bad habit of his — and threw up his great fiddle head in playful freshness. As we jogged along at the orthodox six-miles-an- hour pace, the conviction grew strongly upon me that this day's hunting was likely to be attended with a good deal more pain than pleasure. Occasionally an agonizing thrill would shoot through my entire frame when Obadiah lurched down heavily into a grip, whilst an involuntary groan escaped my lips. "What a beast he is," I exclaimed, as he almost toppled down on to his nose, thereby causing me the most exquisite agony. " Why on earth can't he keep his eyes open ? " " Go back, old fellow," advised Dicky. ** Grive your- self another day's rest. You really arci not fit to be on horseback. An arm-chair would be far more to the point." But I was obstinate and moreover loth to acknow- ledge defeat, and having once started resolved to proceed, even although I unwillingly admitted to myself that jumping would probably prove out of the ^uestiojft. Indeed X doubted g:\y capacity to stay on if 124 THR GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT, i '1 1 attempted to leap. Nevertheless it was just possible that when I warmed up and my blood got thoroughly heated the pain might subside. As bad luck would have it, we had a long way to jog to covert ; the meet being about ten to twelve miles distant from Whin- boro*. At last, aftifir a ride which 1, for one^ found anytliin but enjoyable, we arrived at our dfestinatiori, an almost the very first person I set eyes on was Captain Hooper. He was riding a fidgety young horse that lashed out at every hound within a yard of him, thereby incurring the blessings of huntsman and whips. Directly he saw me, he came up and kindly enquired after my condition, but any continuous or prolonged conversation was impossible owing to the extreme fractiousness of his steed. " That seems a hot one you are on," I remarked. ** Is he a good hunter ? " " So so," he replied. " I am riding him for an hour or two, to qualify him for our Hunt Steeplechases, in the spring. Bat he is very raw and green at present." That he certainly was ; seeming indeed but half- broken, and a less perfect horseman than Captain Hooper would have experienced great difficulty in handling him. Any further remarks were put an end to by his suddenly wheeling round and letting fly with both hind legs at Obadiah, who had been amusing himself by quietly nibbling at his mane. P'ortunately he just missed hitting him. " By .Tove ! that was a near thing," exclaimed Captain Hooper. " It strikes me I had better move on.'' *' I think so too," I assented, for little as I valued Obadiau, I had no desire to have his leg broken. " Your friends will have to fight shy of you to-day." At this juncture, hounds began to stir, and we quickly foimed in procession at their heels, whilst the whole company proceeded down a narrow road at a good steady trot. I learnt that our draw was to be I' li THROWN OUT. 125 Barnington Gorse, a covert situated in the choicest part of the Whinboro' county and celebrated for the fine runs it had afforded in former years. Neither to-day did it belie its reputation; for no sooner had hounds been put in at one end than a fox went off at the other. He was evidently a lively gentleman, loth to lose time, for he stole along at a rattling pace, his small red body being only just perceptible as he glided through the long yellowish- green edish of an undrained meadow. It is not easy however to escape the glances of a hundred eyes, all eager to discover the same object, as Reynard found to his cost. A clamour of voices filled the air, warning the silent hounds that their fox had escaped ; quickly they got on his track, and let loose the varied music of fheir tongues. The horses pricked their ears and quivered in every limb with excitement. " Tally-ho ! Tally-ho ! Yonder he goes ! Forrard my beauties I " cried the huntsman as he puffed at his silver horn ; then bending eagerly forward, with his hawk-like eye fixed on the pack, galloped on in pursuit, giving the signal to scores of dashing horsemen to follow his example. My first intention on seeing the fox steal away was to remain on the prudential side and join the mighty army of Macadamites. But the glorious sight of flying hounds running mute on a burning scent, and a line of redcoats brightening all the field in their rear, was more than I could stand. But, alas ! he who hesitates is lost. In all circum- stances of life, the gift of prompt decision is an invaluable one, but nowhere is it more so than in the hunting-field. The man who wavers — first thinks he will do this thing, then that, and cannot choose between the two — loses many a chance of seeing sport. The few seconds of hesitation in which I had in- dulged proved fatal, and in consequence I found myself left many lengths in the rear of the hard riding division, amongst whom it was usually my pride and ambition to be numbered. tj H ?a3t3:?:r^--:r:^'r'.- :> ISB THE QIRL IN THE BROWN HAniT. I clapped spurs into Obadiah, hoping that a friendly check at starting, such as often occurs before hounds have fairly settled down to the line, might occur, but no such luck awaited nne on this particular occasion. They streamed away like wild-fire, and I had the mortification of seeing the distance between us steadily increase instead of lessen. In despair I tried to make a lucky nick, and fancying I perceived the leading hounds were inclined to bend somewhat to the right, I galloped off in that direction; but no sooner had I done so, than they turned sharply to the left again, and left me in a worse predicament than before. Any one accustomed to fox-nunting knows how easy it is for a man to go wrong. It is astonishing how soon the vast crowd will disappear in all directions, and a couple of bad turns are quite sufficient to leave one ' companionless and alone. Humiliating as such a situation is, it now befell me. Those few moments of indecision had probably lost me a first-class run, for it was evident that the scent was unusually good, and with a quick active fox before them, hounds might travel many miles. My present disaster — for I viewed it in no less serious a light — only proved to me once again the absolute necessity of decision. Either one must boldly '.brow in one's lot with the roadsters or the riders. No middle courne prospers. The shirkers or the thrusters are those in whom to put faith. Thus I bitterly reflected, as I cursed my own folly, and rode round the field which I was in, in search of a gate. I was separated from the diminishing forms of the rearmost horseman by a remarkably stiff stake and bound fence, that had a very deep and newly cut ditch on the near side. The earth had been piled up more- over, so that to clear the whole required a decent fly. Now ditches, towards him, were not at all to Obadiah's mind ; and the deeper they weie the more he disliked them. Of this fact I was but too well aware. No doubt in the heat and ardour of a good run, he might have been induced to negotiate such an THROWN OUT. 127 obstacle as the one now before him, but the chances were all against his doing so in comparatively cold blood, and without any other horses to lead him. As before explained, he did not belong to those delightful animals who love jumping for jumping*s sake. He looked upon leaping merely as a means, and not an over pleasant means either, to an end. At present the end was not clearly enough presented to his vision. Knowing all this, and being anxious moreover not to get another fall, which might have the effect of preventing me from keeping my engagement to dine at Cattington Towers, I hastily made for a gate which I had had the good fortune to espy within fifty yards or so. But, lo and behold ! the gate proved to be securely bolted. I pulled and hoisted at it till I grew red in the face and moist with my exertions ; finally, I dismounted, with great pain and travail, and tried 'to remove it from its hinges. No, the obstinate thing was not to be stirred. The farmer to whom it belonged must have had some devilish device for securing it, since I am pretty strong in the arms. What annoyed me most, however, was the loss of time entailed by these ineffectual attempts. At the pace they were going, I might never see hounds again this day, and, even although I was in a manner disabled from follow- ing them, the reflection was none the less bitter on that account. I do not believe the man lives who is utterly callous to being hopelessly thrown out. The roadster who never jumps a fence, pounds down the macadam for miles and miles on the off chance of falling in with hounds, even although he loses them again directly he finds them ; and to a person really fond of the sport no humiliation is greater, or disappointment more bitter, than that of losing sight of the pack and having to wander about the country in ignominious search of it. People accustomed to the serious ills of life may think such trivial mis- fortunes of no importance, but they are very real while they last, and occasion a great deal of heart- urniug. ■H •'1 :h n y E!ib^i':di-«iii 128 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. The gate was immovable, and I had to make up my mind to one of two things. Either I must jump the fence, and trust to Obadiah's proving in an extraordi- narily amiable and obedient mood, or else I must retrace my footsteps some considerable way, and go back to the gap by which I had originally floundered into the field in which I now found myself. Neither alternative was wholly satisfactory. But few men care to acknowledge defeat, and there is something in the very idea of giving in that sets one's back up. At least, it does mine. I re-mounted Obadiah, spoke to him coaxingly, patted him on the neck, gave him a touch of the spurs, and set him at the fence. As I expected, round he came ; and when Obadiah wished to evade an impediment it was wonderful with what celerity he could swerve to the left. By-the-by, why is it that a horse almost invariably chooses that sidfe ? The worthy Obadiah almost capsized his master, with the effect of greatly upsetting that gentleman's temper. Now I was determined he should jump, even if I came to hopeless grief in consequence. I rammed Obadiah once more at the fence, and this tim.e with greater success. He was pretty well used to me, and perhaps knew that further resistance was unavailing. Anyhow, the old thief made an unwilling, half-hearted sort of an attempt, and going crash against the binder — which, being new, did not give an inch — tumbled head over heels into the field beyond. Luckily, although I too bit the dust, I did not relinquish my hold of the bridle, and, rising from the ground, was just congratulating myself on having escaped so well, when a soft, distressed voice, close at my side, said : '* Oh 1 Captain Mannington, I am so sorry you have had another fall. How unlucky you are to be sure I But I do hope you are not much hurt." I started and looked round. To my surprise, con- THROWN our. 129 fusion, and deligHt, there was Nell, mounted on a good-looking white cob, about fourteen hands high, clad in a neat pepper-and-salt habit, and gazing at me with an expression of such visible concern that it made ray pulses quicken and my heart beat tumultuously. My vexation at losing the hounds was all forgotten in- a moment. " How do you do. Miss Fitzgerald ? " I said, attempt- ing to speak coolly. " I hope I did not frighten you ? " ** You did a little," answered she ; "I can't bear seeing people tumble about." " And you will think I am always indulging in thei practice ? " " It looks rather like it," she said, with a smile. " I see my lecture on health did not make any very great impression." And she glanced at my still inflamed countenance. "But you never delivered it. You only declared you would do so." " Well, that is pretty much the same thing. Once I really begm to preach. Captain Mannington, you have no idea how eloquent I grow." " 1 wish you would begin now." "What? This minute?" "Yes." " Then," and her face assumed such a pretty, '. babyish look of reproach, "you are a very, very naughty man for trying to f^unt when you know you are not able. There, do you like that ? " "Extremely. What next?*' " You ba,ve no business to ride in your present state, and as for jumping, it is positive madness, until you get better." " But I was obliged to jump. Miss Fitzgerald. .1 could not help myself." " You might have gone for the gate," severely. " I did ; but it would not open. I almost broke my back in trying to heave it off its hinges. If I had 'Jot decided to jump this fence, I should have had to ga round nearly a quarter of a mil a." 1:1 r 130 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. ** Don't you like going round ? " relenting a little. " Not at all 1 Do you ? " Nell gave me a bright look full of unmistakable 83/mpathy. "Well, no; I can't say that I do.** "Will you forgive me then for being such an object?" I said, as I took out my pocket-handker- chief, and removed a large clod of mud from my right cheek. Nell laughed. A pleasant little silvery laugh that sounded sweet in my ears. It had such a girlish, merry, innocent ring about it. " We are all of us objects," she said. " At the present moment, you are more one of pity, than any- thing else." The saymg that " pity is akin to love," immediately occurred to my mind, and had I been Dicky I should have probably m?.de some felicitous remark on the subject; but instinct seemed to warn me that the surest way of putting a constraint upon our hitherto informal intercourse was by attempting to pay Miss Fitzgerald foolish, commonplace compliments. I might not be very sharp, but I was sharp enough to know intuitively that she was certain to resent such conduct from a comparative stranger. Frank and open as she was, she was not the least of a flirt, and I think that that &ct constituted one of her greatest charms. " How did you come to get thrown out, Captain Mannington ? " she enquired. I explained that I had intended to ride about quietly, but that the sight of the hounds in full cry had been too much for my good resolutions. " It seemed such a mean sort of thing,' I said, " to gcuttl*^ off full tilt for the nearest road, directly our lox bioke covert. One has a contempt for people who ta.:c to their ?'eels on the slightest approacn of danger." • " And so," said Nell, with a merry smile, " Pride had a fall." THBOWN OUT. 131 *• Pride fell between two stools, and came as you see to utter grief. If it had not been for your presence, which relieves my complete solitude, I should have met with bitter punishment." And I thought to myself how luckily everything had turned out. " And what are you going to do next ? " asked Nell with interest. " Me ? I have not the smallest idea. Hounds must be miles away by this time," " You don't seem very anxious to catch them." " Don't I ? I was until you appeared ; since then I have become reconciled to my present ignominious position. There is nothing like a partner in mis- fortune." " Dear me ! " exclained Nell, comically. ** It never struck me that I was sharing in your ignominy ; that will never do. Would you condescend to accept so humble a guide as myself? If so, I believe we might wipe out our disgrace." " Condescend, indeed 1 Give me the chance, that's all." " Oh ! I thought that such a very hard-riding young man," and Nell looked up saucily into my face, " might not care to be piloted by a girl on a pony." " And why not ? It all depends on who the girl is." " He might consider it infra dig,** I laughed out loud. " Infra dig. be blowed ! " I said, not over elegantly, and thinking how willingly I would lose the best run on earth to have the chance of a quiet ten minutes' chat with Nell. " You are talking nonsense, if you will excuse my saying so." " That's polite," she remarked demurely. ** Is your dignity hurt at the expression ? " "My dignity i:« not so sensitive as you seem to imagine. Miss Fitzgerald, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be led by you." ** In that case," said Nell, " let us lose no more time. Can you clamber up on the saddle, or 4re your injuries too severe ? '* ■I 132 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABlt Hi ill ' 1 \ 1 i " I think I can manage," I replied, getting one foot into the -stirrup, and hoisting myself on to Obadiah's back by his thick mane. " There ! now I am quite ready." " AH right," said Nell, moving on. " I will show you the way, since you do not know the country as well as I do. My belief is that the hounds have gone to Oossington Chase. Anyhow, they are sure to draw it in the afternoon, so if we go straight there, we are certain to fall in with them sooner or later." " Do you intend taking me across country ? " I asked facetiously. " No, certainly not," replied Nell, decidedly. " I intend taking you by a very safe road, and not giving you the chance to tumble about any more." And as she spoke she looked me straight in the face with a pair of laughing hazel eyes. " Supposing I rebel ? " It was delightful provoking her to repartee. ** You won't, you are too sensible." " Would you ride after me and rescue your captive, or leave him alone ? " " I think — " and Nell paused a moment, " I think I should ride after you, but," with tremendous deter- mination, " I should give you an awful scolding when I caught you." " Altogether, then, I am better as I am ? " "Much. Only people never know when they are well off." "I do. I am perfectly content. Miss Fitzgerald. You can lead me like a lamb. I only came out to potter, and consider myself highly fortunate in having met you." I began to feel quite at my ease. Nell's manner was so frank and natural, that it was impossible not to thaw when exposed to its charm. " Yes, " she said, " I too am a potterer to-day. Will you tell uncle this evening how good I have been ? " " Are you not always good ? " ** Oh ! yes, of course, but to-day I am specially so." THROWN OUT. 133: » " Indeed ! I am glad to hear it. What are you like in a naughty mood ? " " Now, Captain Mannington, you are teasing. I want you to tell uncle that 1 obeyed orders to the letter, and stuck to the road. This cob I am riding is one of Captain Hooper's which we are thinking of buying, and uncle did not want me to hunt to-day, because he had to go to Littlehampton on business ; but Captain Hooper sent the cob round in the morning, and after a deal of persuasion I managed to induce uncle to let me come out by myself and try his paces. I made a solemn promise not to jump anything bigger than gaps." " And I am to tell Mr. Austen vou kept your word — is that it?" " Exactly. There is nothing like having a disin- terested witness to give testimony in your favour.** " And supposing I am not disinterested ? " The colour mounted to her face. " I infer that you are. Don't make me imagine the contrary, or I shall be disappointed. At any rate, let me^think 3 for the present. Disillusion comes fast enough." Nell's words were capable of a twofold meaning. I immediately construed them seriously, and imagined! she was warning me on no account to tread the dangerous paths of flirtation, for fear of losing her esteem. They threw a considerable damper on my rising spirits, and showed me how absolutely necessary it was to maintain the strictest self-control. It seemed to me that she as good as said, ** I will be friendly and pleasant, open and communicative, as long as you steer perfectly' clear of sentiment, and don't attempt to make; love to me ; but from the moment you offend me by your too fervent and demonstrative speeches, then good-bye to any agreeable companionship Therefore- make up your mind as to your behaviour." Anyhow, I placed the above construction on her last speech, and being still new to my love, and as shy about it as a school-boy, I relapsed into silence, and I 11 ml I ah 134 THE GIRL TN THE BROWN HABIT. watched admiringly, as we trotted along, with what graceful precision my companion's slight, rounded figure rose and fell to the action of her cob. Now, I have always maintained, that to trot well is the very great test of a woman's riding. One sees scores of well-habited, well " got-up " ladies in the Row and elsewhere, who whilst walking sedately, or even cantering gently, appear to sit their horses to per- fection. But directly they attempt a good, honest trot, they flounder and roll, and wriggle and bump, and jerk in a truly distressing fashion. Some work their arms, some their legs, some lean forward till their noses almost touch their horses' ears ; others incline to one side of the saddle, until it is a marvel they manage to retain their centre of gravity. But when you see a woman trot quietly, gracefully, truly, sitting perfectly straight, and rising to the horse as if she were part of himself — when you see her elbows well in to her side, her hands in proper position, her legs not indulging in a species of spasmodic pump- handle action, then you may be pretty sure that she knows how to ride really well. M ell's trotting was perfection. It was a pleasure to look at it ; nevertheless, after a few minutes had elapsed, I felt it incumbent upon me to resume the conversation. I resolved, however, to stick to plati- tudes, and not expose myself to another snub. \ CHAPTER XVI. A FAIR PILOT. « I SUPPOSE you ride a great deal. Miss Fitzgerald ? * I remarked presently, by way of breaking the silence that had fallen between us. "Nearly every day," she replied; "but I am not supposed to hunt more than two days a-week. Uncle does not approve of what he calls the regular hunting woman." A FAIR PILOT. 186 «* And do you ? " I enquired, for I fancied I detected a slight tone of regret. " I like anything that tires me out." " What an extraordinary statement." "Physical fatigue is the only real remedy for thought," explained Nell, whilst her face suddenly assumed a serious expression. Had I not known her history, I should have been astonished at this observation coming from a girl of about twenty summers, but as it was, I could enter into her feelings. " And why should you wish to prevent thought ? " I asked quietly, wondering what sort of an answer she would vouchsafe to the question. She was riding a yard or two ahead of me, but, checking the cob a trifle, she half turned round in the saddle, and gave me one swift and searching look. Then apparently satisfied that I did not make the enquiry from idle curiosity alone, she replied, with a hastily stifled sigh: " Because thinking is about the very worst habit a woman can indulge in." ** That is a curious theory,. Miss Fitzgerald. May I ask your reason for entertaining it ? " " Have you ever heard or read of any really clever woman who was happy ? " said Nell categorically. ** Look at George Eliot, George Sand, and a host of others one could mention. Directly we women, as a body, begin to think, it is more or less inevitable that, except under very favourable circumstances, we should become dissatisfied with our position in life. ' I confess to having been somewhat startled by this declaration of Nell's, and felt anxious to learn more of her views. From a perron of forty they might have come naturally, but not from one so young. "Are you a Woman's Righter? " I asked. " No ; not in the ordinary sense of the word. The movement has been too much abused, and gone the wrong way to work." 136 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT "What do you mean, then, by saying your sex should banish thought ? " " I mean that when we begin to exercise our brains, and see things as they actually are, and not with blinded eyes, we cannot help perceiving the injustice with which we are treated. We are not men — I doubt even if many of us would wish to be men — but we desire an end put to the oppression of the weak by the strong." " Unfortunately it is the law of Nature," I remarked. " And what is civilization for except to impro» : -.pon the laws of Nature ? " retorted Nell, in an animated tone. " Look at the inequality of those laws made by man. They are framed simply to suit himself. There are some that at no distant date must be altered, since their unfairness is patent to the world." " It is a difficult subject. Miss Fitzgerald, although I admit you have a good deal of right on your side." ** Yes," said Nell gravely. " To be happy and con- lent we should be blessed with few or no ideas, we ishould never venture to depart from the regular ibeaten track, we should enjoy three substantial meals ;a day, converse about none but trivial matters — such as babies, servants, and the affairs of oiu* neighbours — and employ our spare time in the homely but tedious knitting of stockings, enlivened by a few sensational novels that are forgotten as soon as read ; but if we are foolish enough to speculate, to meditate and analyze, then we are done for, and become both discontented and unhappy." She was speaking in bitter earnest, and I realized that beneath all her apparent brightness of manner there lay a deep vein of philosophical thought, tinged and perverted by the ill treatment she had received. There could be no doubt about her prettiness and niceness. Even whilst uttering the crudest sentiments, and in spite of a certain rawness incidental to her youth, she was undeniably clever, and however much she might profess to envy them, she herself was evidently not one of the placid females whom she A FAIR PILOT. m rour sex described as possessing but few or no ideas. Nell's mind was active, on the alert, and even at times daringly original. I paused a few seconds before replying, being intent on pondering over her last speech. ** 1 think what you really mean is this," I said at length. " Woman is an emotional being, and she stakes all when she loves. Marriage is the great event of her life. If she be happy in her home, then she is supremely content with her lot. According to you, the stupid woman may also jog along fairly well because she is dull, inert, unsensitive, and appreciates her creature comforts. But the clever one, who has made her venture, and knows that it has failed, cannot rest, or fall back upon fine clothes, good eating and drinking as a compensation. Her heart aches. There is a void in it somewhere, and when she finds this out, her head takes the mastery and begins to dictate. Such women, as you truly say, are not happy. They may be ever so talented, ever so charming and fascinating, but there always remains a certain sense of dissatisfaction and of life-weariness. In other words, they have not fulfilled their vocation." ** Yes,'* said Nell, meditatively, " You are right in what you say. Perhaps," and her voice trembled a little, " the misfortune is, that we women set too much store by our love. It is everything to us ; whereas with you men, it is only a very slight element, which scarcely disturbs the current of your life. You have so many loves, and are constant to so few. The heart does not triumph over your reason, as with us ; and when one person d aceives you, you find no difficulty in turning to another for consolation. We, if we were wise, should follow your example, and not lavish our affections on unworthy objects." And she gave a little forced laugh, that, to me, seemed full of bitterness, and betrayed a heavy spirit. ** And yet," I said, " woman would not be woman, if it were not for that beautiful clinging to those she once has cared for. See how she will stick to the worst of M J, i 138 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT husbands, and bear anything for his sake. In my opinion, the greatest piece of good fortune that can possibl}' happen to a man, is to gain the love of some fresh, honest young girl." And, almost anconsciousiy^ I fixed my eyes on those of my companion. At first her clear orbs returned my gaze frankly; then, as by degrees the colour stole into Nell's face, they drooped und drooped, until I could only see the long, dark lashes resting on her sweet, crimson cheeks. Our steeds, during the above conversation, had subsided from a trot to a walk, and we were riding side by side. Nell gave the white cx)h a smart touch with her hunting crop, and urged him into a canter. She seemed vexed with herself for having allowed me to see so much of her inner nature, and tried to assume a lighter tone. " I can't imagine why we have fallen into so serious a vein," she said, a trifle petulantly. " It is quite unsuited for the hunting field. Come, Captain Man- nington, let us make haste ; and, if we must talk, we will stick to horses and hounds — or some suitable topic of conversation. Love and women have been worn quite thread-bare long ago." So saying, she rode swiftly on, at a pace that effectually put an end to any further interchange of ideas. But she had told me enough to set me thinking for many a day to come. Poor little darling! I could realize the state of her mind; and understood how that ruffian De Courcy had so thoroughly disgusted her with men, that she hardly knew with whom to feel at her ease. And yet, her nature was clearly not a distrustful one ; and while she gave vent to many of hei sceptical opinions, she would have been only too thankful to find anybody who could effectually disprove them. She was not old enough to be as hard and cold as she would fain appear. That total disbelief of the sterner sex was only a mask which she assumed foi self-preservation, being all the time in mortal lear that a pin-prick would penetrate it. So when she began to get moved, she immediately started <• totally different subject. Oh, Nell, Nell ! If vou had only known, you wer« A FAIR PILOT. 1» quite safp with me. I would do nothing to offend you maidenly susceptibilities, and longed only to show mj sympathy. As for me, I cared no more about the hounds by this time than if I had been toiling under a tropical sun. Their whereabouts was a matter of complete indif- ference, and I devoutly wished my companion would forget them also. She, however, evidently possessed the sporting instinct in an unusally high degree ; and, all at once^ appeared uncommonly anxious to come up with the pack. Perhaps she thought our Ute-a-tete had lasted long enough ; or, very likely — as I said to myself — she was bored with my society already. I had not Dicky's happy flow of small talk or enviable faculty of making myself agreeable to ladies. " I wonder where they are ? " said Nell, whilst her keen eye scoured the country round. " I can't see anything of them, unless they are hidden behind yonder hill." Just as she spoke the faint sound of a distant horn came borne to our ears. " Hark," exclaimed Nell, pulling the cob up to a stand. ** Did you hear that ? " " I fancied I heard the hom," I said, wishing hounds and huntsmen miles away. She listened again, then, catching a few musical notes, an expression of satisfaction settled upon her features. " Yes," she said, " they are going to Cossington Chase just as I thought, and they are hunting slowly. That was old Rhapsody who gavt- tongue, a sure indication the fox is still before him. We may take things as easily as we like now, for they are safe to hang about for some time, and we are close to the Chase. When you see the hounds again, then I hope you will feel happy, Captain Mannington." " I am very happy as it is, Miss Fitzgerald. I do not know that they will add much to my enjoyment." " Hush, that's heresy. Why, I thought you were 140 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. never satisfied unless you were right up in front, cut- ting out the work and flying over regular man-traps." " Indeed ! What gave you such an idea ? *' " Chiefly my own observations, and the opinion I have formed of your character." " Will you not tell me what that is ? " " You are very determined, for one thing*" ** Do you object to determination in a man ? " **No, I like it. I can't bear your undecided creatures." "What other mental notes have you made at my expense, Miss Fitzgerald ? " " You are ambitious, Captain Mannington ; awfully 80, in fact." " Ambitious of what ? " " Of excelling. You hate to be beaten." " So do most people." "When you make up your mind to a thing you don't shilly-shally. You go straight ahead and steer for your point. You may have any number of faults, but at least you are not weak." "Thank you," I said, feeling exceedingly amused and rather flattered at Nell's summing up of my character. " But you have not substantiated your statement yet, as regards my never being happy unless I am at the tail of the hounds." " I will, though. I can do so easily. Do you remember a stiff flight of rails you jumped the other day, when there was no absolute occasion, but simply because you tvould be first ? " And she shot an arch look in my direction. "Now, that's unkind. T remember somebody else who jumped them too, and with far less provocation." " Anyhow my case is proved." " Not a bit. And now, may I ask a question ? " " Most certainly ; provided it be one 1 can answer." " Very well, then. Tell me, are you in the habit of taking such break-neck leaps ? If so, I am not surprised your uncle disapproves of your hunting." Nell gave a little saucy toss of her shapely head. A FAIR PILOT. 141 " Must I answer ? ** she said pertly. " You promised." «* And am I to be quite truthful ? " ** Quite, but that I feel sure you always are*** " Frankly then, no. Only on rare occasions, when my blood is up. Asa rule I am not partial to stiff timber.'* " What made you jump such rails as those ? " She shrugged her shoulders, with a little careless gesture, inexpressibly charming. ** I had a very good reason." ** What was it ? " " I hate to be beaten. I am like you in that respect ; but especially by a — a — rnan" She pronounced the last word with such a comically contemptuous emphasis that for the life of me I could not help laughing " You consider it derogatory ? ** She nodded her head. ** Have you so meua an opinion of us as all that ? " I asked jestingly. " Do you wish me to offend you, Captain Manning- ton ? " responded Nell, taking refuge in a counter interrogation. " I don't believe you could do so if you tried." " Couldn't I ? If I were to answer that question I should soon succeed." "Even now I doubt it. Anyhow 1 give you full leave to try." " You are rash. Believe me, when I say it is far better for me to maintain a discreet silence ; then I cannot be rude or disagreeable." And she pursed up her rosy mouth as much as to intimate that not a word should escape from it. I laughed again. She was so awfully piquante and amusing with her quaint little ways and original sayings. There was a freshness about her that capti- vated me completely, and rendered argument simply delightful. " But you have made a serious confession already,'* I retaliated gravely. :^i 142 THE GIRL IN THK BROWN HABIT. / "Mel How so?" And Nell looked the picture of innocence. " Why, have you not as good as said to my face, ' Captain Mannington, I hate and despise your sex, and consider nothing too bad for it ? * " •Nell blushed furiously. I was only in jest, but the next minute to my horror I saw two big tears trickle slowly down her cheeks. " It does seem rude of me," she said, " but," and her voice dropped almost to a whisper, **you do liot know all." I felt a perfect beast for playing upon her feelings as I had done. "Oh !" I cried impulsively, "I am so sorry; I was only joking, and never thought you would take my foolish chaff seriously. I would not have wounded you for all the world." And I meant what I said. I think the distressed tone of my voice must have carried conviction, and at least proved me innocent of wilful offence, for Nell hastily brushed her small gloved hand across her face, and looked &t me with a kindly expression of countenance. " Never mind me," she said in a low voice. " Don't taiie any notice, please. I can't help being a goose souietimes, and every now and again a chance word recalls certain events in the past, which I fain would forget if I could." I hardly knew what to say. Words seemed so poor when the heart was full. I held out my hand in silent sympathy, and to my joy Nell seemed to understand what I meant, for she put hers into my big, bare palm and let it rest there for a second or two. I could not help squeezing the little fingers. I should scarcely have been human had I refrained. "You can trust me?" I said, somewhat unsteadily, for a curious lump was rising in my throat. She lifted her eyes to mine, and I looked deep into them, never flinching from their gaze. " I — I believe I can," she said at last. ** But, oh ! pray, Captain Mannington, don't let me find that I am A FAIR :?ILOT. 143 wrong In my estimation, for it will be a bitter blow to me." And she choked back the rising sob. Poor little soul 1 I knew quite well what she meant. She was longing to regain her lost trust and confiderce. Any idea of love had not entered her head. " You never shall," I said earnestly ; " at least if I can help it." " Will you be my friend ? " she said simply. " I want one very badly, to right me in my ideas. The last year or two they seem all topsy-turvy." . '* Yes, I will," I said fervently. " So help me Grod, I will be your friend until death." " Thank you. And you promise not to think it odd my asking this favour on so short an acquaintance ? I cancot speak to every one, but some how or other I feel as if I could speak to you." **Say what you like," I said. "Your confidences will never go farther." "You asked me a question just now. Captain Mannington, and at the time I did not want to reply^ It is quite true that I do not like men. Perhaps you have heard, or guess, that I have been rather unfor- tunate in my experiences." I bowed my head. " I took a hatred to the entire sex," went on Nell, " but lately I have come to think that perhaps I may have been wrong in judging all -men by one bad specimen. Is it not Carlyle who says, in * Sartor Resartus,' that when we discover the coin that we took to be gold is only brass, we jump to extremes, and im- mediately fancy the whole world contains but the baser metal? By slow degrees, however, a reaction sets in, and gradually the conviction grows upon us that we may have been unjust in our sweeping condemnations. Is that not so ?" And she turned to me appealingly. " It is," I replied, " thoug' believe me, Miss Fitz- gerald, that a few gold coins exist, even among men." " I am glad to hear you say so," she said with a sigh ©f relief, " It is horrid to think badly of one*8 fellow- 144 THE GIRL Hi THE BROWN HABIT. creatures. It makes one quite uncomfortable. Only." and she hesitated — " I — I — am afraid." " You need not be," I said, scarcely above a whisper. « Trust me." Once again she raised her clear eyes to mine, and seeraed to read rae through and through. And as she gazed at me in this innocent, half-doubting, half-con- fiding way, I felt that I could no more deceive her, and tell a falsehood, than fly. Everything that was best in my nature rose to the surface when exposed to the in- fluence of her honesty and purity. ** I wi-1," she said firmly. " I may be wrong, but I can't go on living and looking at every man I meet as my natural enemy. We will enter into a solemn cove- nant of friendship, and if I read your character aright you are not one to take advantage of conduct that in the eyes of some men might appear strange." "No," I said solemnly. **I think I understand what you need. What you want is to regain your lost faith in human nature. You have set me a difficult task, but I will do my best to prove equal to tLo occasion." " Thank you for comprehending me," she said with a blush and a smile. " Very few people would have done so, so thoroughly."* So saying she gave her bridle a shake, and did not speak again until we arrived at Cossington Chase, CHAPTER XVIT. WELIi SNUBBED. It would have been impossible for any man who was not an absolute coxcomb to take Nell's advances other- wise than as they were meant. She wanted a friend, and had not a thought of love. Indeed, the least approach to sentiment would have affrighted her alto- gether, I realized tl^is fact frona the outset, j^nd wap WELL SNUBBED. 145 aware that it was just because I was ugly, and sober and slow, that she chose to honour me with her confi- •dence. She felt that our friendship was not a danger- ous thing, and did not give me credit for entertaining any warmer sentiments. All this 1 knew quite well, and probaDiy on reflection would not derive much en- couragement from the compact we had just entered into ; hut I could not pause to reason whilst in Nell's presence, and for the present I felt wildly, foolishly, idiotically happy ! I had no definite views. It did not enter my head to suppose that Nell could return my affection . I was curiously diffident, but it was pleasure enough to ibe able to look at her, and talk to her, and feel that an intimacy was springing up between us. I too was young, and did not gaze far into futurity. The sun- fihine of the golden moment sufficed, and at that time, two whole months in which to meet and exchange ideas seemed a long while to look forward to. When we reached Cossington Chase, we found that the hounds with their immediate attendants had just arrived. That the pace had been first-rate throughout ^as evident from the warm, flushed faces of the men, and the horse's heaving flanks, distended nostrils, and quivering tails. The poor beasts clearly stood much in need of a check, and were truly thankful when, owing to the presence of several fresh foxes, the scent of the hunted one became foiled, and hounds were reduced to slow hunting in covert. " We have had a clinking good run," said Captain Hooper, who to my surprise was present, still riding the fidgety brown horse, fidgety now no longer, but in a very limp and perspiring condition. "Between seven and eight miles as the crow flies." " Were you well carried? " I enquired. " Capitally ; directly hounds found, I meant to have got on to my hunter, but that fool of a fellow of mine never turned up, and I had to ride the young 'un ; however, I don't regret it, for until to-day I had no idea he was half so good. He has gone up quit^ ^ hundred and fifty in value." 146 THE GIRL IW THE BROWN HABIT. At this juncture, Dicky appeared round a corner, where presumably he had been giving his horse time to regain his wind. The moment he perceived Miss Fitzgerald he joined our little party, whilst Captain Hooper, whose nag seemed pretty well cooked, moved off in search of his second horseman, who doubtless had found the pace too good. " How do. Miss Fitzgerald ? ** said Dicky, taking off his hat with a flourish. *'This is an unexpected pleasure, since I had not the least idea you were out to-day." His handsome face was flushed, and his blue eyes sparkled and flashed beneath their finely arched brows. The pleasurable excitement produced by a good run had not subsided, and still lent animation to his fea- tures. As he sat bare-headed in the sunshine, with the pale golden rays lighting up his wavy chestnut hair, and investing it with a borrowed glory, a pang shot through me. I could not help admitting to my- self what a good-looking young fellow he was, and how likely a one to catch a girFs fancy. Surely his out- ward appearance must tell in his favour. " How do you do, Mr. Dawson ? " said Nell com- posedly, in reply. " I hear you have had a very good run. Captain Hooper has just been telling us about it." ** First rate,'* answered Dicky. " I never enjoyed myself more in my life. Miles, old man, you ought to have been there," turning to me. " Perhaps so," I responded, with a sly look at Nell, ** but I have been in excellent company, and do not regret my backward position." ** Very backward," put in Nell. *' To tell you the truth, Mr. Dawson, Captain Mannington and I were tixtremely unfortunate, and have not seen a single yard of the run." " Ah ! " returned Dicky, gallantly. " I thought our brightest ornament was missing." " Dear me ! " she exclaimed with a mocking laugh. ** Do you hear what Mr. Dawson is saying. Captain WELL SNUBBED. 147 I corner. Mannington ? He calls you * the brightest ornament,* " and she mimicked Dicky's tone to perfection, " of the Hunt, Don't you feel excessively flattered ? " Dicky coloured and bit his lip. He l»;ad a regular girl's complexion, and was given to blushing on slight provocation, a habit that annoyed him not a little, as he fancied it made him appear juvenile. He hardly knew how to take Nell's last remark, not being accus- tomed to find his pretty speeches, however empty and meaningless they might be, so carelessly received and passed on. Nevertheless, he returned to the charge. " It has been an awfully good run," he declared ; " but, although we ran both faster and straighter to- day, curiously enough 1 did not care for it nearly as much as I did for our yesterday's hunt." " Really ! " said Nell. " How was that ? Were you worse mounted ? *' " On the contrary. I prefer the horse I rode to-day. He did not interfere with my enjoyment in any way." " And what did, pray, if it be an allowable question ? " Here was the opportunity Dicky had so skilfully led up to. " Do you really wish to know ? " he said, with a lan- guishing look at Nell. " Of course," said she, quite unsuspiciously. " You have excited my curiosity." " Can't you guess ? " " No ; how should I ? My powers of divination are small." He gave his horse a touch with his heel, and sidled up a little nearer to her cob. ** You were not there. Miss Fitzgerald. Is any other reason necessary ? " Nell drew herself up, and placed a couple of yards' distance between them. ** You are very kind, Mr. Dawson," she said coldly, and I fancied I could detect a slight curl of contempt on her short upper lip. " But may I ask if you are given to talking nonsense? Is it a habit you fro quently indulge in ? " g^a«r£.fjr. 146 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. " That depends on what you call nonsense," replied Dicky, somewhat confusedly. " People's ideas are apt to differ." " I should not think anybody's ideas could differ as to the remark you have jus t made. Its politeness, at any rate, outshone its sincerity." This was too much for poor Dicky. He turned as red as a turkey-cock. "You're awfully down on a fellow,** he mumbled, almost inaudibly. " Not at all," responded Nell, vivaciously, seeming to enjoy the situation, " But I dislike hearing the first principles of truth violated. Now, when we look dis- passionately at the matter, what earthly difference could it make to you whether I was in the run or not?" And she smiled audaciously at me, evidently delighting in his discomfiture. She had a keen sense of the ridiculous. " But it does," pleaded Dicky. " It makes a great deal of difference." Nell gave him a scornful look, full of impatient incredulity. " Then," said she, " you are easily affected by com- paratively unknown objects, and I, as the unknown object, ought to feel extremely flattered." *"Pon my word, Miss P^itzgerald," cried Dicky, in despair, " I had no idea you were half so hard-hearted." ** Or so sensible ? " said Nell, with a laugh. ** No ; hard-hearted. I stick to my words." ** Why ? Simply because I don't take your com- plimentary speeches quite in earnest. They are too transparent, Mr. Dawson." •* Women like flattery," returned Dicky, sulkily. He was getting the worst of it, and the conversation altogether had taken a turn he highly disapproved of, " Do they ? Let me give you a piece of advice then. Please to remember, in future, that it requires to be very, vary delicately administered. When applied with too coarse a hand, it fails to meet with appre- ciation." WELL SNUBBED, 149 leen sense And so saying, Nell gave a nod and a little light laugh, and rode on to speak to an acquaintance close by, leaving Dicky in a state of utter confusion. I question whether he had ever experienced so perfect a snub, and yet there had been nothing in the least un- ladylike or vulgar in Nell's manner. Her self-possession was admirable. Friendly as Dicky and, I were, I could not refrain from a secret feeling of satisfaction at his discomfiture. He had thoroughly deserved it, and brought it com- pletely on himself, by his foolish and familiar compli- ments. Nevertheless, he was not one to remain down- hearted for long. It took a good deal really to abash him ; and by degrees he recovered somewhat of his equanimity, and before many minutes had passed, actually brought himself round to thinking that NelPs rebuff had been entirely produced by shyness and maiden modesty. " You never can tell with these girls what they really mean," he remarked to me, who had discreetly refrained from adding fuel to the fire. " They take things so differently, and these rich ones are apt co get a bit spoilt, after they have been out a year or two, and give themselves no end of airs. The real thing is they want licking into shape." "What sort of shape, Dicky ? " I asked humorously. " They think it grand to make a fellow feel small," he returned indignantly, entirely ignormg my query. "It gives them a sense of power, which is gratify- ing to their vanity ; but all the same, they are only human, and are bound to fall sooner or later, like their mother Eve did before them." "And do you intend to assist Miss Fitzgerald to descend ? " " Yes," he said savagely, " to the level of Mr. Richard Dawson." " She will have to fall pretty far," I observed, in perfect good humour. "At any rate," quoth Dicky resolutely, " I mean to give the little minx back as good as she gave," 'f J 150 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. " You will find that hard, my dear boy. The young lady rejoices in excellent powers of repartee." "Yes," growled he, "which she exercises at my expense. Upon my word, if it weren't for her money, I declare I'd give her up. I hate a woman with a tongue." " It is rather an awkward weapon, I admit," I said with a laugh, " especially when it beats the male in argument. We Lords of Creation don't like to put up with defeat from the weaker vessel." But Dicky had be«jn enough chaffed for one day. He could stand no more, and, making a sudden whiffper from the hounds an excuse to rid himself of my society, he plunged into the depths of the wood. It seemed as if sport were over for to-day, for, tired as the hunted fox mubi ha re been, he succeeded in beating his pursuers, whilst, as the afternoon advanced, scent apparently failed. The huntsman, however, con- tinued to persevere, being loth that so good a run should terminate thus tamely. We were still standing round Cossington Chase, the huntsman intent upon blood,- when Nell again trotted up to my side. " Good-bye," she said, " I am going home." " You are leaving early," I replied. " Yes ; I have to arrange the flowers for to-night, and uncle said I was to be sure not to stay out late. We shall see you this evening ? " " Most certainly ; but are you going back all alone ? May I not accompany you ? " ** Thanks, you are very kind, but Captain Hooper's second horseman is returning to Whinboro' with his young brown horse, and he will open all the gates for me. I have given you enough trouble ay it is." I did not press the point. I was longing to ride home with her, but after Dicky's little rebufif, dared not expose myself to a similar oixe. I was fearful of giving offence and of appeariiig intrugiye, Besides, she was so horribly rich. AN EVENTNQ AT CATTINOTON TOWERS. 151 *• Good-bye, then, until to-night,** I said, doffing my hat. " I shall look out for the howers. They are sure to be pretty." " Ah,** said Nell, with a shake of the head. « We are very badly off just at present. You 'ftiust not expect too much. And now I must positively go. Don't forget to tell uncle how faithfully I have kept my promises.** In spite of her words she seemed inclined to linger. ** I shall make a point of doing so. By Jove ! I really do believe they are away with a fresh fox,*' as a loud " Gone forrard, awa-ay ! " echoed on the still air, and put life into the equestrian statues, tired of so prolonged a state of inaction. "Then I must fly from temptation," said Nell. " Once more, good-bye." And she moved off at a brisk trot, whilst unheediul of the movements of the pack, I stood and watched her retreating form until a sudden bend in the road removed it from vision. CHAPTER XVIII. IK EVENING AT CATTINGTON TOWERS. all alone ? That evening I took unusual pains with my toilet. T discarded at least half-a-dozen white ties, before I at length succeeded in getting one that afforded me complete satisfaction : and when the process of dress- ing was over I actually went into Dicky's room, and possessing no such luxuries of my own, begged the loan of his scent-bottle. Then, taking out my hand- kerchief, I sprinkled it liberally with Piesse and Lubin*s finest White Rose. The heavy old brougham, which looked as if it had been built in some former decade, and which now did duty as the evening conveyance of the "Horse and Hound ** establishment, had been standing at the door THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. I some little time before our preparations were complete, and we finally got under weigh. To our consternation we found, on passing through the town, that our watches were nearly ten minutes slow by the large i-und clock adorning the steeple of Whinboro' Church, and this discovery filled us with anxiety lest we should be late. People dining out at a country place for the first time are apt to indulge in similar fears, not knowing the nature of the road, or how long it will take to accomplish the distance. Thus they arrive at all hours. Sometimes abominably early, at others distressingly after time. " Put your best foot foremost, my man," said Dicky to the driver, as we seated ourselves on the faded blue cloth cushions ; " I am afraid we are late." Thus adjured, the half-perished looking individual on the box, whose teeth were already chattering with the cold, whipped up his horse — an old hunter who, having gone in the joints, was doomed to this sort of miserable slavery — and by voice aLd whip did his utmost to urge on the docile but venerable animal to slightly increase his usual rate of speed. In vain! The poor beast's heart was not in his work. Perhaps as he jogged along at a slow trot, and looked at the dark hedges on each side of the road, whose naked top- most twigs were silvering over with a keen hoar-frost, and at the wide green fields whitening beneath the moon's cold and mystic rays, reminiscences of by-gone triumphs rose to his mind. Days when, with fleet limbs and lightsome heart, he had galloped gaily in pursuit of the speckled hounds, and snorted eagerly in response to the loved music of their voices. Anyhow, by the time we arrived at Cattington Towers we found the company alread'^ assembled. Mr. Austen had been as good as his word, and to our very great relief we found no formidable concourse of men and women awaiting our entry, and in their own minds blessing (?) the tardy guests who kept dinner waiting. Coming in out of the cold, the room struck one witi> AN EVENING AT CATTINGTON TOWERS. \M a pleasant sense of wnrmth, but the sudden glare of light in our eyes confused us just a little at first, and prevented us from seeing clearly. Mr. Austen im- mediately advanced with a few words of greeting, and I attempted to mumble out an apology, which he nipped in the bud. " Late, my dear Mannington ? " he exclaimed, with good-humoured sarcasm, ** don't mention it. It's only ten mivmtes after our usual dinner hour, and, now-a- days, I am lold, people may consider themselves fortu- nate if you young men turn up at all." " Come, uncle, you must not be too hard upon our guests," said Nell, coming forward and cordially shak- ing hands. "Neither Captain Mannington nor Mr. Dawson is acquainted as yet with your intense love of punctuality. The fact of the matter is," she added brightly, " after we have been out hunting we get so voraciously hungry we feel as if we could not wait a single minute for dinner. It speaks volumes in favour of our Whinboro' air. As for Captain Hooper, he is positively famishing." By this time we had recovered our equanimity, and I took a good stare at Nell. How pretty and elegant she looked. " She was dressed in some sort of clear white muslin that fell in soft folds to the ground, without any hideous puffings and flouncings, such as so many of the fair sex are given to patronising. Her arms and neck shone through the transparent texture which but half hid their rounded beauty, and her small waist was encircled by a curiously wrought, old-fashioned silver girdle, the only ornament I noticed that she wore. But she needed none. Not all the silks and satins and gee-gaws in the world could have conferred that air of simplicity and distinction upon her. These gifts were Nature's own handiwork. The little head, with its abundance of smooth, dark brown hair, arranged in the neatest of braids, the pillar-like throat, which rising thin and straight recalled the caniage of a stately deer, the clear, bright eyei«, honest as the 154 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. day, fresh complexion, and sweet red-lipped mouth, required no fictitious adornment. What if the features were not strictly classical, and an artist might have found fault with the somewhat irregular, but altogether charming nose, and taken exception to the extreme width of the brow and deter- mined chin ? The expression of the face was delightful ; variable as an April day — sad one minute, gay the next — bright, arch, saucy, merry, kindly, dreamy, fascina- ting, all in turn. " I am awfully sorry that we should have kept you waiting, Miss Fitzgerald," I said ; " I can't tell you how vexed I am. " " Then it is very silly of you to be vexed by such a trifle," she replied sweetly. ** Besides, as I said before, you are new to uncle's little idiosyncrasies." "We did not quite know how long it would take coming here, and our watches misled us. They had both got a fit of the slows." "Like their masters? I suppose the fact of the matter was," said Nell, turning mischievously to Dicky, " Mr. Dawson required some time to beautify himself?" Dicky smiled complacently. " Do you consider I stand in need of so much adorn- ment. Miss Fitzgerald?" he replied jestingly. " No, not in the least," she returned, with feigned gravity. " In your case it is quite superfluous. Stuck an original," and she laughed as she said the words, " could not possibly be improved upon." Although it was easy to see that Nell was only in fun, Dicky accepted the compliment in perfect good faith, and appeared highly gratified. It completely restored him to his accustomed state of self-esteem. I won- dered how he could possibly be so obtuse ; but there ! some men's vanity blinds their eyes to the most patcat facts. Perhaps Nell thought she had been a little hard upon him in the afternoon, and desired to make amends for her severity ; or else — which I believe to have been the case — her natural instinct of hospitality rendered it an imperious necessity that she should promote the AN EVKNINO AT CAniWOiON TOWERS. 15:) happiness of her guests to the utmost of her ahility. With her sharp insight into character, she had divined that Dicky loved flattery from the fair sex, and there- fore in her own house she sought to adapt her con- versation to his tastes, and choot^e those subjects cal- culated to please him best. Our party consisted of Mr. Austen and his niece. Captain and Mrs. Hooper — the latter greeted me as an old friend — Dicky, and myself, and two (by courtesy) young ladies, the daughters of a neighbouring clergy- man, who were arrayed in stiff, shiny black silks, small white " fichus " — that, I believe, is the correct word —and white cotton gloves. They appeared good, amiable girls, whose conversation was limited to paro- chial matters and the state of the weather. ** How cold it has been to-day," the eldest one was •aying to Captain Hooper. " Yes, very," replied that gentleman indifferently. He seldom displayed much animation, except in the hunting-field. ** At one time I thought it looked like rain." « Oh ! indeed." "The clouds got very black about two o'clock ; but they cleared off towards the afternoon. The sun actually peeped through for a few minutes." " Really ? " " Yes. I shouldn't wonder if we had a fine day to- morrow." " Hope so." The Captain was clearly not deeply interested. " The glass is rising," went on Miss Smithson, in her thin, monotonous voice. •" It's my belief we are in for a frost." But this suggestion was too much for Captain Hooper's equanimity. " Good Heavens ! " he exclaimed, awaking from his stik^e of languid boredom. " Don't, pray, hint at such a thing." ** A firost would be -beneficial in many ways just now," said Miss ^mithson phlegmatipally. "The feurmers fse THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. l! require one for their land, and besides," winding up with a common platitude, " it's seasonable." I had been talking to Mrs. Hooper, and was just wondering wbethei one of the Misses •'^iiithson would fall to my lot, when the door ope**ca, and a portly, grey-haired old butnr, with a stately presence and stentorian voice, made the welcome announcement that dinner was ready. Mr. Austen immediately rose and gave his arm to Mrs. Hooper, whereupon a slight confusion ensued as to who was to take in who. Nell went up to her uncle ana asked for instructions. He whispered something in her ear which caused her to blush and smile. I fancied I caught the words : " Baronet's son comes first — takes the lady of the house." Then she turned to Captain Hooper, and with a little apologetic glance said : " Will you take Miss Smith son in to dinner ? Mr. Dawson," addressing Dicky, "allow me to introduce you to Miss Mary Anne Smithson." His face of disgust as he walked off with the fair Mary Anne was truly comical. Nell and I were left alone. " Captain Manuington," she said, as half doubting my good fortune 1 still hung back, "will you have compassion upon my humble self ? " Imagine the delight that I felt when I found Nell assigned to my care. "What luck," I said, offering her my arm with alacrity. " I could not realize it all at once, and made up my mind to one of the Misses Smithson and the weather." " And had you so little confidence in your own powers of conversation, that you thouglii^ that subject would scarcely last through dinner ? " said Nell archly. " I confess I should have had misgivings, when no other resource remained but to fall back on the parish and mothers' meetings." Nell put her finger to her lips. AN EVENING AT CAITINGTON TOWERS. 157 '*Hu8h!" she said laughingly. "You are too ob- servant by far, and seem to have taken the measure of my poor friends in a very few minutes." " I imagine the measure would not need to be long." "Come, Captain Mannington, that's really quite naughty. I had no idea you were so sarcastic. 1 admit the young ladies under discussion are not fas- cinating, but they are good, worthy girls in their way." " That is quite possible," I rejoined. " But can you tell me hoT* it is, that * gcod, worthy girls * are always so very, very uninteresting ? " Nell laughed. "Ah!" she said, "you have knocked my little romance on the head altogether." " Your little romance ? I did not know that you had one." "I thought Miss Smithson would do so admirably for you, and Miss Mary Anne for Mr. Dawson. I assure you they were invited from purely disinterested motives." " Thanks, Miss Fitzgerald," I replied, " you are very kind ; I am sorry my views do not fall in with yours." " But Mr. Dawson ? " she said merrily. " Don't you think Miss Mary Anne would suit him splendidly ? He would smarten her up, and she would — well she would perhaps act as a check, and preach against the vanities of this wicked world." " A very decided check," I said, laughing in spite of myself, for a more incongruous pair than the tall, bony Miss Mary Anne, and the festive, happy-go-lucky Dicky, it would be difficult to imagine. Meanwhile we seated ourselves at table. Captain Hooper made for Nell's disengaged side. She was a great favourite of his. He liked any lady, so his wife confided to me, who was fond of sport, and talked about horses. Dicky, however, with his usual dexterity, and I almost with truth might add— impudence, contrived to slip in before the elder gentleman, who found him- self forced to subside between the two Misses Smithson. Nell did not appear to observe this manceuvre, at all tmm THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. events she took no notice of it, but Mrs. Hooper as she glided into her place, at mj other side, said with a meaning smile, full of comprehension : " Your friend is very attentive." Somehow or other the remark annoyed me. ** It is his way," I said coldly. " He is fond of ladies' society." She looked at him critically. " So I should imagine," she replied. " But not for its own sake." She had hit the right nail on the head, but it was not for me to discuss Dicky's failings, more especially in such company as the present. " He is a very good fellow," I said, ** and most popu- lar in his regiment." "That may be," said my companion sceptically. " Men never know each other half so well as women do. Besides, most of you have two sides to your character." « A good and a bad ? " «* Precisely. You show the good to your comrades, the bad to women. Therefore, I say, we know you best." And the cynical little woman, who seemed to believe in nothing and nobody except her Harry, cast a disapproving glance across the table at Dicky, who, just then, was stooping to pick up Nell's fan — with very unnecessary effusion. I took a look round the room. There is a good deal to be gleaned from the environments of people one is interested in. They are a sure index to character. The dining-room at Oattington Towers was a fine, spacious apartment. Its oak-panelled walls were hung with costly family portraits. A beautiful Vandyke, representing a tall soldit^rly-looking man, in velvet doublet and ruffles, occupied the place of honour over the mantel-piece. Opposite to him was a Sir Joshua Reynolds, painted in the great master's happiest style. Quaint brass plates, of mediaeval workmanship, occupied the spaces left by the pictures. A large Japanese screen, splendidly mounted and embroidered, stood AN EVENING AP CATTINGTON TOWERS. 1B8 near the door by which we had entered, and a Persian carpet, of brilliant but harmonious colouring, covered the centre of the shining parquet floor. In a large bow window stood a tall and graceful palm, whose spreading green leaves contrasted, freshly and vividly, with their rich background of heavy crimson velvet. The whole room bore evidence to the taste and refinement of its inmates. The dinner table itself was faultlessly appointed. Snowy linen of the finest texture, beautiful ^lass, and massive silver goblets adorned the board, whilst last, but by no means least, came the flowers. I looked at them with considerable curiosity, knowing that they had been arranged by NelPs own hands. They, at least, would tell tales, since it is by such things a woman's nature is revealed. Had the combinations of colour been at variance, I own I should have felt dis- appointed. But when I looked at the low bank of cool, green moss, from whose velvety surface rose feathery sprays of maiden-hair fern, intermixed with clusters of pure white azaleas, relieved here and there by a few scarlet geraniums just to give a dash of warmth and colour to the general effect, my artistic sense was more than satisfied. I glanced at Nell. How could I, even for one moment, have doubted her taste ? Fair as were the flowers, she herself was infinitely fairer, and outshone them all. " How pretty they are ! ** I said to her approvingly. She seemed pleased at my praise. " Do you think so ? " she replied. " I am so glad that you like them." " Nobody could fail to do so. One can tell at once that they are the work of a lady." " I thought men always did everything better than women — at least in their own opinion ! ** I looked at her. * " That is a very * brassy * sentiment,^ I said signifi- cantly. She blushed, knowing at once to what I referred. THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. ** When the flowers are left to a gardener," I observed, ** there is always a certain stiffness about them : and but few people, in their position, understand the im- portance of keeping strictly to one, or at most two, key-notes of colour. They are given to jumbling up the blues, reds, yellows, greens and pinks, in the most indiscriminate manner." " Ah ! '* said Nell, " I see yoii are a regular con- noisseur! I had no idea you were so critical, or I should have taken more pains." ** The results could not possibly have been l.*|«nier, Miss Fitzgerald. They tell me, at once, that you are fond of flowers. May I ask what is your favourite one ? " She hesitated a moment before replying, then she said : *'l used to like roses best, they are so fresh and sweet and beautiful. Somehow, they always remind me of a human life. First comes the bud, which gradually unfolds in the sunshine. That is the time of youth. Then the rose blows, and opens to the wind and the rain. And the wind and the rain come, and sweep over its fair bosom, and shake it to its very foundation. That," and Nell's voice softened, ** is love. And by-and-by its glorious fresh leaves wither and droop, till at last they fall off one by one, and the poor heart is laid bare to the bleak blasts And that is disillusion, which leaves us old before our time, and numb and dead." She paused, but after a while resumed, in an altered tone, that lighter one which I had already observed she was wont to use, except upon rare occasions and moments of deep feeling. ''But, now, I have forsaken my early love, and have grown more humble in my tastes." ** How is that ? " I asked, trying to fall in with her moods, which I knew were subject to quick transition. **You are an exception to the majority of your sex. I have always been taught to believe that the ideas of most ladies expanded instead of becoming more simple." AN EVENING AT CAlTlNOTON TOWERS. 161 *' Do you not think, Captain Mannington, that, as a rule, we generally have some good reason for our like» and dislikes ? " " Undoubtedly." " Very well. I owe the rose no grudge ; but sorae- body I once esteemed very highly," and her expressive face changed, and I knew instinctively that she referred to that blackguard De Courcy, *• used to give me violets. He sent me some when I was ill once, long ago, and, foolishly, I got to care for them for the sake of the giver. Can vou understand that ? " And she raised her eyes to mine. " Yes, quite well." "He, the giver," she continued, with a quaver in her voice not lost upon me, " was not what I thought. I fancied him good^, and noble and true, but, above all — honest. He disappointed me. It was my fault, perhaps, for having formed such a ridiculously high ideal. It is a disagreeable thing for a man to be invested by some imaginative girl with qualities he does not possess. Sooner or later the awakening must come. And now all that remains," she concluded, with an efifort at light-hearted nesn, " is my partiality for violets. There! Captain Mannington, do not ask me any more questions, for I shall not answer them. I do not know why, but they lead to fuller explana- tions than I ever dreamt of giving. You seem to have a curious power of making me speak the truth." She was as proud as Lucifer, and no sooner did she reveal a little portion of her real self than she seemed to regret her confidences, and try to annul them by an extra levity or extra frigidity of manner. But I knew her secret, and so possessed the key-noie to all her variations. And, moreover, I coald understand them and sympathize with them. She resembled a poor hunted hare that, having once been driven from its form, doubles and twists in every direction, yet all the time pants for some convenient place of refuge in which to obtain safety. Ms: THB OIRL IK THE BROWN HABIXi CHAPTER XIX. COME AGAIN, MY FRIENIX t FOUND it difficult to reply to Nell's last speech. I knew chat she did not intend to be rude, and yet it was one scarcely calculated to ^)romote conversation. Consequently, I felt positively grateful to Dicky, when, after addressing a few trite remarks to Miss Klary Anne Smithson, he devoted his attention to Nell, and soon succeeded in making her laugh by hii criticisms on certain members of the Whinboro* Hunt, remarkable for their peculiarities. << Who is the sportsman that comes out in the sesthetic costume ? " he asked. "That I " replied Nell. « Oh ! he's a Mr. Algernon Lestrange. An amateur poet, I believe, not that I have ever read any of his compositions. He comes from Littlehamptcn." " I should have thought he came from Great-man's land." ** What do you mean, Mr. Dawson ? " '* I mean that he seems to fancy himself so tremen- dously. That, however, appears a common failing in this part of the world." Dicky was somewhat offended at not having been received with more open arms, and so lost no oppor- tunity of delivering a Parthian thrust at the natives. "Do you think so, Mr. Dawson?" said Nell, wickedly. " Judging from appearances I ', lould have imagined that the people in your neighbourhood have likewise a tolerably good opinion of themselves." The sarcasm was lost upon Dicky. " I don't know who or what Mr. Algernon Lestrange may be," he went on contemptuously, " but really, the fellow seems to imagine that the world is not big enough to contain him. I have no patience with such airs. I hope he is not a friend of yours. Miss Fitji- gerald ? " ** Oh I dear no ; but you should be less critical, Mr COMB AGAIN. MY FRIEND. 163 ecb. I i yet it rsation. Dicky, to Miss ition to I by hii y Hunt, Is." [estrange illy, the Lot big |ith such lias Fita- Lical, Mr Dawson. For our own part, we rejoice in the fact that our little modest Whinboro* is capable of domiciling 80 great a personage as yourself. We all feel that we are vastly honoured by your presence among us." But Nell's badinage was thrown away upon Dicky, He could see a joke fast enough at somebody else's expense, but he waa^singularly obtuse in perceiving them at his own. A common failing, incidental to human beings. On this occasion he was evidently determined on making himself agreeable to his hostess, and, although 1 had taken her in to dinner, appeared bent on cutting me out altogether. Mo doubt he thought it would be easy enough to eclipse vie. He had never been in the habit hitherto of considering me as a rival, and I was pretty well accustomed to being thrown in the shade by the brilliant Dicky. Only to-night, somehow, I did not appreciate the process; especially when I found he kept Nell's attention so entirely engaged, that I did not get the chance of putting in a word I felt like a dog whose bone, which he had carefully hidden and looked forward to enjoying, is stolen under his very As for poor Miss Mary Anne, she was neglected nose. in the most shameful way. I quite sympathized with her in her desertion ; for it is not a pleasant thing for a woman, be she young or old, to find that her partner deliberately turns his back upon her, and prefers another. Such things should not be made too evident. Miss Mary Anne sat very bolt upright in her chair, and seemed dreadfully shocked by the levity of Dicky's conversation, portions of which she could not help overhearing. Every now and again she made a laudable effort to bring it back into more sober channels, by some such question as the following : " Ahem ! Mr. Dawson. What is your opinion of the present unfortunately divided state of the Church ? Do you approve most of High or Low ? " " Eh ? I beg your pardon, ',/hat were you saying, Miss Smithson ? " said Dicky i^egligently, breaking o^ for a moment in his laughing jests witl^ I^ell, 164 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. The young lady repeated her demand with increased soleninity. "Oh, High, by all means," said Dicky carelv^ssly. " It*8 so much the most amusing of the two." Miss Mary Anne gave a little gasp, exprecsive of unspeakable horror. She was appalled to find any species of religious service spoken of as " amuaingJ'^ **Is it not perfectly iVeadful the way young m*»Ti talk r.ow-ndpvr ?" u Pnid, piously ^>urning up the whites or her ey es addressing herself to Captain Hooper in hopeb of 1 tiding a more congenial spirit. My ears were singularly J\arp, and I possessed the faculty of being able to hear nearly all that went on at the same dinner-table ; besides. Miss Smith' on's voice was shrill and of very penetrating quality. Captain Hooper was evidently a philosopher in his way. He had been out hunting all day, was blessed with an excellent appetite, and to all appearances an equable temper, which was not easily disturbed. Consequently, when he found himself doomed to sit between the two excellent but uninteresting Misses Smithson, he wisely resolved to make the best of things, and fall back upon a first-rate dinner, no mean substitute in ad'^erse circumstances like the present. ** Never by any chance contradict an ugly, elderly female," he said to me later on in the evening whilst we were sitting over our wine. " It is a sure means of involving yourself in endless argument. One can stand a good deal from a pretty woman, but when they are both ancient and plain into the bargain, then if you are a wise man fight shy of them, and don't give them an opening. Always agree, no matter what nonsense they propound. It saves such a lot of trouble in the long run." Acting upon this principle, when appealed to by Miss Smithson to confirm the depravity of the present generation, and young men in particular, he merely bowed his sleek, fair head resignedly, muttered an inarticulate "Oh! yes, dreadful. They are perfect monsters of iniquity ; " and then applied himself with I COME AGAIN, MY FRIEND. 166 additional vigour to the choice entrSe of foie graa and truffle tijat had just boen handed round. Miss iAfary Anne w;i8 forced to taite refuge in a severe and protesting ilence. I could not help smiling at the expression of her countenance, which would have done honour to a hired mourr r at a funeral. *♦ Did you ever see two such wet blankets ? *' whis- pered Mrs. Hooper in my ear. " I can*t think bow Nell can stand them." " Who are they ? " I replied in an undertone. "Two clergyman's daughters from a n gi ' ouring parish. Is not Harry splendid ? " " First rate. His impenetrability is mor' amusing, and has succeeded in quite nonplussing t )or Miss Smithson. But why does Miss Fitzgerald ask such people ? " " Nell ? Oh ! she is good nature itseli. They lead dreadfully dull lives, poor things, and although you would not think it to see them, they enjoy dining out more than anything in the world. An evening at the Towers furnishes them with conversation amongst their parishioners for the next six months to come. I couldn't be as nice as Nell to such dummies, but she is always kind to every one." ** I should think it was her nature," I remarked. " She says that the only good of trouble is to make you feel for others. And certainly, since her own misfortunes, she hap grown wonderfully considerate. All the old folks about here literally worship her." " That I can quite understand. She is very charm- mg." " You and she have made friendn already, I hear,'* said Mrs. Hooper, in her lively, vivacious style. " Nell tells me you rode some time together to-day." " Yes ; we happened to be companions in misfortune, and Miss Fitzgerald was good enough to take com- passion on a stranger and constitute herself his pilot." *' You could not have a better one. She knows the country thoroughly." 166 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. / " So I discovered. She has a wonderfully good eye to hounds." "Yes; Harry always says he knows no lady her equal in that respect." " She is marvellously quick," I returned. " And did you enjoy your ride, Captain Manning- ton?" " Very much, Mrs. Hooper," " Shall I confess a confidence ? " said she mischie- vously, with a bright glance at Nell, who, quite unsuspicious that she was the object of our remarks, continued talking merrily to Dicky. " Are you justified in doing so ? " I asked. " Yes, I think so. She would not mind." " She ? Do you mean Miss Fitzgerald ? ** Mrs. Hooper nodded her head. " Nell said something about you. Captain Manning- ton, that pleased me very much." " About me ? What could it possibly be ? " of course my curiosity was immediately aroused, and silenced any scruples as to permitting a speech to be repeated that doubJess was not intended for my ears. ** Whilst we were sitting talking before dinner," whispered my companion, " Nell said she really believed she had come across an honest man at last. There," and Mrs. Hooper looked at me with her piercing but friendly black eyes, " what do you say to that ? " " Naturally I feel flattered by Miss Fitzgerald's good opinion, and only wish I deserved it. 1 will try to do so at any rate." "I was quite astonished," went on Mrs. Hooper, communicatively. '*She so seldom says a word in favour of a man. You seem to me to have done her good already." "Me? How could I?" " By destroying her cynicism and making her believe in human nature." ** T am afraid, Mrs. Hooper, that you give me credit for greater influence than I possess." ¥M ■■mi COME AOAIN, MY FRIEND. 167 *• I do not think so. Remember I know Nell very intimately. We are almost like sisters ; and she would not have said what she did unless she meant it. Now your friend over there,'* glancing at Dicky, ** would never gain her approval.** " It looks as if he had gained it already,**! returned, letting my eyes rest on the two handsome heads, as they bent over the menu together, more closely than I liked. ** Outwaid appearances count for nothing,*' said Mrs. Hooper sententiously, apparently divining my thoughts, " You speak confidently," I said with a sigh, for the merrier seemed the pair, the soberer and graver grew I, and the less inclined to converse. " I speak from positi 3 knowledge. When Nell was talking about you, I asked her how she liked Mr. Dawson." ** Well,** I said, with lell-tale anxiety, " what answer did she make ? " " She merely shrugged her shoulders and said — * Mr. Dawson ? Oh ! I have not thought about him one way or the other. He is like all the rest.* And," concluded Mrs. Hooper, significantly, "I knew what that meant." The conversation had reached a deeply interesting point, but somehow or other I did not feel justified in continuing it. It seemed to me that if Nell knew her artless confidences were being betrayed, even by a friend and well-wisher, she would not be pleased. Certainly Mrs. Hooper's assurances were satisfactory as far as they went, but I placed more faith in ocular observations than in second-hand statements. And as the dinner progressed my spirits grew lower and lower. A fit of shyness seized me. Did Nell also feel embarrassed and regret her over- tures of friendship, imagining that they had been too hastily made ? It was possible. Once or twice I fancied that she purposely avoided me, that her eyes refused to meet mine, and^ that she rattled a^vay to Dicky in order to prevent my returning tl 168 THE OIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. to any more serious subjects. Even Mrs. Hooper could not succeed in rousing me from my state of dejection. ** What is the matter with you, to-night ? " she said ; " you are not the least like yourself." " I must apologize for being so stupid," I replied ; " but the fact is, I have not quite recovered from the fall I had. My head still feels dizzy and heavy.** The little woman was good-nature(l. The excuse sufficed, and she had the tact and delicacy to leave me alone, devoting herself for the remainder of the meal to Mr. Austen, who seemed to enjoy her bright and lively sallies. At length the ladies rose. I rushed to the door in hopes of getting one glance from Nell. Alas ! she swept out of the room like a young queen, and never bestowed a single look upon her devoted admirer. I asked myself what I could possibly have done to offend her. Could she be annoyed because I had enquired the name of her favourite flower ? The question was such a very ordinary one, and had she resented it as being too curious she need not have voluntarily given 80 full an explanation. I must seek to make amende later on, and at least find out the cause of my disgrace. Thus thinking, I returned with a heavy heart to my seat at the table, and poured myself out a glass of Mr. Anst,en*s silky after-dinner claret. Dicky and Captain Hooper were already deep in a sporting argument as to whether Cormorant carried eight stone eight or eight stone ten to victory in the Cesarewitch, five years ago. The memory of neither was sufficiently accurate to remember so important a matter. Mr. Austen commenced a political discussion with me, which he entered into with such interest that he was loth to discontinue it, even when we rose to join the ladies in the drawing-room. Our foreign policy incensed him highly. He was a staunch Conservative of the good old school, whilst I, although far from being a Radical, was more liberal in my views. " By Jove ! ** exclaimed my host indignantly, button- holing me up in a corner and effectually preventing me from occupying the vacant seat by Nell's side for which 4 ' COME AGAIN. MY FRIEND. 169 I had been craftily making, "it's simply disgraceful the way public matters are conducted now»a-days. England has completely lost her prestige. She is going down-hill just as fast as she can. Why, would you believe it, Captain Mannington ? they tell me English- men are insulted, yes," raising his voice, " positively insulted in the streets of Paris. They cry out Idchea after them as they go along. Things have changed sadly since poor old Palmerston's, or even since Disraeli's, time. The present Government shilly-shally. They take refuge in such empty words as humanity, economy, and so on. They ^rasp at the shadow and lose the substance. Look at Egypt, sir. A bold policy would have secured it to us for ever. Look at our wurs in Zululand, South Africa and the Soudan. We have wasted money and men, with what result ? Abso- lutely none. Upon my word, it*8 perfectly sickening.** And the dear old gentleman grew red in the face and puffed and fumed with righteous indignation. ** We haven't gained much certainly," I admitted. •* Gained ? We have lost. We have lost our good name, thanks to these odious Home-rulers and Radi- cals." " And yet, Mr. Austen,** I said, ** I do not quite see how it is possible to contend against the great demo- cratic wave, setting in, not only over England, but over the whole of Europe. Nations, like individuals, pass through crises, and sooner or later it seems to me inevitable that power must fall into the hands of the people. Now-a-days the * what-I've-got-FU-keep * system of the ancient Conservative party no longer holds gooc One must march with the times, however unwilling one may be to do so. Progress, not stagna- tion, is the law of the world." " It depends upon what you call progress," objected Mr. Austen. **As long as the masses remained ignorant, (hey were more or less indifferent to their form of govern- ment ; but now that you have granted them education, it is only natural that they should begin to wake up, m THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. and take an interest in the affairs of the nation. After all it is a great anomaly why a small body of ncbility and country gentlemen should expect to suppress the dawning intelligence of several millions of their fellow creatures." " That is true in a way," said Mr. Austen, •* and it is not the people I quarrel with, for I maintain, good Conservative as I am, that if the honour of the British Nation were entrusted to the bulk of the sober, hard- working, respectable public, it would be perfectly safe.** ** I am inclined to agree with you there." " 'They would not lower the great English name and drag it in the dust," continued Mr. Austen with in- creasing animation ; " but we have to thank this new school of fanciful, imaginative, philanthropic and visionary enthusiasts for all our national misfortunes. Men, who possess in a rare degree the faculty of self- deception, who see things merely from their own perverted point of view, and who lack that happy mixture of courage, self-reliance and straight-forward- ness essential to every true patriot, and really able politician. These are the men who have murdered Gordon, who have alienated our allies, embittered our foes, involved us in endless complications, and made us the laughing-stock of Europe." " We have gone down in the world since Waterloo, certainb\'* **Gone down, iny dear sir? I should rather think we had. Waterloo was the pinnacle of our military glory. It has declined steadily ever since. In former days we fought, and placed our trust in British pluck and British bayonets, but now, if an insult is offered to our flag, what do we do?'*— and Mr. Austen's lip curled with contempt — "We apologize ! " He was evidently so charmed to find some one with whom he could discuss the political situation, that I could not with courtesy put an end to the conversation, which lasted uninterruptedly until the butler again appeared, to inform us that our vehicle was at the door. AH this time X had the mortification of seexng t . 't- COME AGAIN, MY FRIEND. 171 Dicky usurp the place which 1 had intended should be mine. He continued to monopolize Nell, and I felt almost \exed with her for allowing him to pay her so much attention. The Misses Smithson were seated up in the comer, knitting as if for their lives. Captain Hooper waa stretching his long legs in the arm-chair and, en- couragisd by the gentle heat of the fire, was nearly asleep, whilst Mrs. Hooper turned over the leaves of an album, and occasionally made some remark to Nell. Profiting by the first pause, I made a move. I had looked forward to this evening with keen pleasure, but I had not enjoyed it nearly as much as I had expected. Everything seemed to have gone wrong, and, in spite of the injustice, I felt ready to horsewhip Dicky. How contemptible a man rendered himself when he made up to a girl, as he was making up to Nell, and how strange it was, girls were so dense at seeing through their real motives. " Good-bye, Mr. Austen," I said. " We must resume our conversation on some future occasion." " Good-bye, my dear Mannington," he replied, with the utmost cordiality. " You are a good Conservative at heart, in spite of your professed Liberalism." " Perhaps you are right," I said, with a smile. " The real thing is, there is very little difference between the parties now-a-days." " Well, you must come again soon, and we will talk it all over. It's quite a relief to meet with somebody who can converse on some sensible subject. People about here seldom get beyond hunting and hounds." Having made my adieux I crossed over to where Nell was sitting, and Dicky, seeing that 1 was deter- mined to depart, reluctantly rose from his seat. Whilst he was bidding Mrs. Hooper good-bye, I had an opportunity of saying a few words to Nell ; and yet I had waited so long that speech did not come very readily. As usual, I made a bungling remark. ••You seem to have been very merry," I said, "i 172 THE GIRL IM THE BROWN HABIT. hope Mr. Dawson has been making himself agree- able ? " Oh! what a mean passion lealousy is. And yet, when we love and doubt as well, how readily it rises to the surface. '* Exceedingly so/* she replied. *' 1 had no idea he was so entertaining.** '^ Good-night,** I said hurriedly, as she held out her little hand. " We must be going." , " You seem very anxious to be off." "It is getting late, and we are keeping you up. You have been out hunting to-day, and although you won't admit it, I know you are tired.** She raised her bright dark eyes to mine, and looked me straight in the face. "It is good of you to think of such things,** she said. *' Most men would not.** " I cannot help thinking of them where you are concerned.*' Her fingers closed round mine in a gentle pressure that made my heart beat wildly. " I am afraid you have not enjoyed yourself this evening,** she said penitently, " and it has been partly my fault.** I felt ashamed of my ill-humour, more especially that she should have noticed it. Was it sympathy that made her so quick ? "Please don*t say such a thing,** I said. "You never could be to blame.** She smiled and shook her head. " Before you go,** she said, " I want to thank you for having been so good to uncle. It is such a pleasure to him to talk politics, and he very seldom gets any one here, except me, with whom to discuss them. But I know it has bored you a little.** " It did not bore me at all,** I answered. " Your uncle is a very clever, intelligent man, only ^ And I hesitated. " Yes ? '* looking up at me with questioning eyeg. COME AGAIN, MV FRIEND. 173 ( ** I would have preferred talking to you. There, the murder is out." '* You shall do that some other day. In the mean- time, my friend, thank you for having been kind to uncle." All my ill-humour vanished. These few prettily- spoken words of thanks rewarded me for my previous disappointments. Besides, she had called me her friend, proving that she did not regret our compact of the morning. My pulses thrilled with joy. " When shall I see you again ? " I said in a low voice. " On Monday, I am going to ride Sweetheart out hunting, but," echoing Mr. Austen's words, ** you must be sure and come again soon; uncle will always be pleased to see you." I cannot tell what impulse possessed me. I stooped my head until it almost touched hers, and I could feel her sweet breath upon my face. V " And will you ? " I trembled at my own audacity. ** Yes, I shall be pleased too, friend," and she turned away as she spoke. How inconsistent we are. The first time she called me by that name it filled my whole being with an insidious joy, now it seemed suddenly to cast a chill upon my heart. Friend ? Yes, I was her friend and nothing more. She could conceive of me in no other light, and al- though one tiny word r>r glance from her sufficed to set my blood in a tumult, I was absolutely powerless to affect her in return. As I drove home and looked out at the peaceful night, at the cold clear stars and restful dark blue sky. a tempest raged within me, strangely at variance with the great hushed calm of the silent earth. Nature seemed to scoff at my tumultuous passions. She so vast — I so small ; she so quiet and tranquil — I so full of doubt and turmoil. Ah ! would Nell eve/ be brought to feel what 1 felt '; 174 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. J Would a time ever come when she would think of mc by day and by night as I thought of her ? Nell I Nell 1 1 loved you honestly and truly. Surely it is something to inspire such a passion. It deserves some slight return. And I would be so good to you, that, in time, you must get to care for me a little. A woman cannot remain insensible to a man's undivided devotion. In process of years it must make some impression. Ah ! dreams, empty dreams. Love cannot be coerced. It is a divine passion that has a mysterious birth, and sometimes a still more mysterious ending. "Miss F. was in awfully good form to-night," observed Dicky, as we rolled along under the starry heavens. ** Was she ?** 1 replied ; " I did not speak much to her." Oh, my God ! It was hard to bear ; yet, if she pre- feried this man to me, he should never guess at my feelings. I knew myself honester than he, but if she loved him I would iiiit throw obstacles in her way. Only, as I listened to him, flowing on in his light, self-satisiied fashion — I asked myself could he make such a girl as Nell happy ? I doubted it. I doubted whether the fine clay of her sensitive nature would mingle well with the common, every-day mould of this absorbing egotism. Not that I thought myself better than Dicky; I only knew that my love for Nell was very different from his. Purer, deeper, and less calculating. CHAPTER XX. ** TBK (iRT iJN-EYED MONSTER. \lovv t!) If a montL mesed away, and I lived in a st^ate m£ j«4iu"t'iil ^'JLcitumentj sometimes fancyiug that I v\ ' ••THE ORKKN-RYKD MONSTER. *» 175 every now and again Nell began to display a slight partiality for me, at others, plunged in the very depths of despair by the imagined coolness of her manner. I grew feverish, restless, and irritable, took long solitary walks on the non-hunting days, and as much as possible avoidtl Dicky's society. Whilst I hesitated and trembled, he was making steady running, and never lost an opportunity of ingratiating himself with Nell. Whenever she came out hunting, and appeared at the meet, he immediately went up to greet her, and whilst we were jogging from covert to covert seldom left her side. So constantly were they together- that people began to make remarks, and to couple their names in that mysterious, half-whispered manner which usually precedes an engagement. **I can't think what Nell is about, to allow Mr. Dawson's attentions," said Mrs. Hooper to me, im- patiently, one afternoon, when I went to call there. ** I suppose she likes them," I replied, as calmly as I could. "I don't believ » it. I remonstrated with her the other day, and tolc her folks would talk if she didn't take care, and what answer do you think she gave ? " " I can't guess." "She said Mr. Dawson was an amusinn: little boy, and she looked upon him as quite a cb d, nothing more. " • Nell,' I said, • you are a great goosf Don't you know that children are apt to be very precocious at times ? ' " Such conversations as these did not tend, however, to conduce to my peace of mind. I \ rsuaded myself that Nell cared more for Dicky than she chose to own, and was merely trying to throw duiit in Mrs. Hooper's eyes. My only grain of comfort was, that although she rode with Dicky willingly enough whilst hounds were not running, directly we seeined in for really good •* thing," she deserted him, and selected me as a pilot 176 THE GIEL IN THE BROWN HABIT, [ ' ■ nil in his place. Whether she thought I rode the harder and straighter of the two, I know not; but T felt flattered by her preference, even although shown in so small a matter. On one occasion, too, she said to me in her most winning manner : " Do you mind my following you. Captain Mannington ? " *« No, not at all," I replied with truth. « Only it makes me more cautious as to what I go at, when I know you are coming after me." " That is a good thing," she said, sedately. *' You are far too reckless, and require some slight restraint put upon your valour. I know, however, how greatly most men dislike being pursued by a lady in the hunting field." " I did not say that. Miss Fitzgerald." " No, you would not be so rude. But shall I tell you why I like following you ? " I nodded my head by way of answer. " Because I feel certain that if I came to grief you would not mind picking me up and looking after me." ** Any man would do the bame." ** Well, they might and they might not," responded Nell. " But most of them would talk of it afterwards, and imply that you were a bore, and had lost them their run » *' A bore ! " I exclaimed indignantly. " What a name to apply to yourself! " «* And why not?" "Just as if you ever could be one, under any circumstances." " Well, you know it is quite true what I say. The majority of my male acquaintances are exceedingly kind, and no doubt, in case of emergency, would offer me every assistance in their power ; but, if you under- stand what I mean, they would all the time feel that they were, losing a great deal by helping a lady in distress, whereas you — " and she glanced at me from under her soft, long eyelashes — "you would never ijaink about the thing at all, or be conscious of your ••THE GREEN-EYED MONSTEIC' 177 own self-sacrifices, but just iielp a woman as a matter of course, because sbe was weaker and less independent than yourself." "I hope so, Miss Fitzgerald. I should think but meanly of myself otherwise." " And I maintain," returned Nell, vivaciously, " that there are very few such men in the hunting field; therefore, in my selfishness, I cling to one with whom I feel safe." Her words sent a thrill of pleasure through my frame. This was a red-letter day. One on which I fancied she did care a little bit for me after all. " And do you really feel safe with me ? " I asked in accents of pride. "Yes, I do. It's very odd, is it not?" And she smiled up into my face. ** Very," I rejoined, with an answering smile, for a little talk like this made me feel, oh ! so happy ; " but I hope you may never come to gnof as you call it. Sweetheart is far too much of .!t gentleman to mis- demean himself so grievously." " Is he not a wonderful animal ? " said Nell, stooping forward and patting her favourite's firm, glossy neck, as he rounded it beneath the light touch of her bridle- hand, and played daintily with his bit. " Do you know that I have ridden him for three seasons ** " And uncommonly hard, too, judging from what I have seen," I interrupted. ** Without his ever giving me a 8ing>e fall, or indeed putting a wrong foot," concluded Nell, triumphantly. " That is saying a great deal," I replied. " The only thing is," said my companion, pensively, **8uch absolute perfection spoils one for riding any other animal. They are all so immeasurably inferior. Father Christmas," — that was the name of the white •cob she had bought from Captain Hooper — " is a very ^ood little beast in his way, but he seems like a cart- horse after Sweetheart." ** I wish I were Sweetheart," I muttered, sotto voce. 178 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. " for you to be so fond of me." Then aloud, " What would you do without your paragon, Miss Fitzgerald ? " " I — ? " and she changed colour at the very thought. "Oh ! don't talk of such a thing." Slie remained silent for a minute, then resumed in an explanatory tone : " I am a very strange person in isome ways. Captain Mannington." " Are you ? I have not discovered, as yet, wherein your strangeness consists." ** I attach myself to remarkably few things and to still fewer people ; but, unfortunately for my own peace of mind, when I do it lasts for life. I never forget my old affections, worse luck." And she sighed. " Never ? " I asked, echoing her sigh. " Not even when you find you have been both deceived and dis- appointed ? Your memory must indeed be tenacious." " It is," replied Nell. " I may alter my opinion, but," and she suddenly blushed crimson, "I cannot forget those I once loved. I only wish I conld. It would be far better, when reason, f*cts, common-sense all tell you they are unworthy of your remembrance. The moral is that it is a great mistake to care too much for anything in this world. Sorrow invariably comes of great love." And then when she had spoken in this way — which she often did when we were alone, for the conversation nearly always ended by taking a melancholy turn — I would go home with despair tearing at my heart-strings. Would she never banish from her thoughts the scoundrel who had so effectually cast a shadow on her young life, and blighted all its opening promise ? Other girls get over these things quickly enough, why not she ? Why should her deeply sensitive and loyal nature be tortured by reminiscences of the Past ? Such love was indeed a treasure worth the gaining, yet, while I would willingly shed the last drop of my life's blood to win it, De Courcy had held it as valueless. Meanwhile I steadily gained favour with Mr. Austen, and if the niece bad only been as kind as was the uncle "THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER." 179 I might have gathered hope. He asked us frr juently over to the Towers, and many a time when he was in Whinboro* looked us up at the " Horse and Hound." Dicky he treated politely but ceremoniously, but he seemed to view me with quite a fatherly regard, and the liking which I entertained for him appeared mutual. Things were in this state when the long threatened frost set in with a vengeance. We swore at it after the manner of hunting men, loafed about the stables, and made vague plans as to running up to town and seeing the Pantomimes ; but we took so long in discussing them that they never came to anything, and when an invitation arrived from Mr. Austen to go and skate at Cattington Towers, Dicky professed himself perfectly contented to stay where he was, and was actually un- sportsmanlike enough to affirm, that he shouldn^t wonder if the frost turned out a blessing in disguise. "It gives one such awfully good opportunities," he declared. " Of what ?" I enquired drily. " Of flirtation, old chap. I shall force the pace a bit with Miss F." This " blessed " frost lasted nearlj' a fortnight. All the ponds were frozen over quite hard, and the roads were so slippery that the over-fed hunters were reduced to straw-rings, round which they could be seen mono- tonously trotting every morning, whilst the breath from their nostrils formed in clouds of vapour on the chilly air. As one looked at them it was a melancholy reflection to think that our leave was slipping away, and that we were now taxing our slender resources without any compensating equivalent in the way of. sport. The finest sheet of water — or rather ice — for miles around was the one belonging to Mr. Austen in the park of Cattington Towers, and he kindly gave us leave to skate on it whenever we liked. Of this permission we availed ourselves every day, especially when once we had discovered that Nell was in the habit of coming 180 THE OIHL IK THS BttOWM HABIT. out about eleven and skating a couple of hours or so before lunch. She was a graceful and accomplished skater, and delighted in the exercise. She skimmed along the frozen surface with a confidence and ease that filled me with admiration. Wearing a little fur hat on her pretty head, her sweet face glowing, and her eyes sparkling like two stars, she looked perfectly bewitch- ing. And so Master Dicky seemed to think ; for if he had been assiduous in his attentions in the hunting field he was doubly so now, when far less liable to interruptions. The merry sound of their voices could often be heard travelling on the still air, as the couple pirouetted in company, or else, hand-in-hand, glided, swiftly up and down the mere. All this was simply unbearable to me, since I could! not skate, and thus was debarred from joining in their amusement. As a matter of course I no doubt pictured' the enjoyment greater than it really was, and imagined Dicky had proposed half-a-dozen times over. Mean- while Mr. AuRten omd I amused ourselves as best we could, walking about the grounds, discussing the political situation, going to see the horses, and taking a look now and then at the skaters. It was too cold to stand still for long, and though I would gladly have done so in order not to lose sight of Nell, Mr. Austen felt afraid of remaining inactive. So, whilst we pro- menaded the shrubberies and garden, Dicky was making love, or, to use his own expressive language, •* Forcing the pace." I formed many a secret resolution to lose no time in learning to skate ; but although Nell pressed me to do BO on several occasions, a species of false pride held me back. I believe I was afraid of appearing ridiculous in her eyes, if I fell sprawling to the ground in all sorts of awkward attitudes, and that she would inevitably contrast my clumsiness with Dicky's grace and skill. Now and again she came waltzing up to us like a fairy, her cheeks rosy as a newly-awakened child's, and asked us how we were getting on ; but I never once had the chunce of a private conversation. Now, it is a curious ••THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER." 181 thing that, until you grow fond of a person you never care two straws whether you are alone with them or not. Their absence or presence is a matter of such perfect indifference that it does not enter your head to think about it one way or the other; but from the instant your affections become engaged, the one aim and object of your life is to secure a tete-a-tete with the loved being. She may be ever so kindly and gracious, but when her remarks are uttered in the presence of a third person you fail to derive any satis- faction from them. It seems as if a check were put on your free intercourse, and the heart still remains hungr}' and discontented. So it was now with me ; for although we frequently stayed to lunch, and I saw Nell nearly every day, I felt as if I were making no progress, and would much rather have had the pleasure of leading her over half-a-dozen fences out hunting, and hearing her joyous exclama- tions of pleasure when Sweetheart successfully nego- tiated some unusually big obstacle, than be in her company day after day and realize that another was usurping my place in her friendship. For I could no longer shut my eyes to the fact that she preferred Dicky to me. She would chat away to him, and laugh and jest, but of late she had been curiously shy and quiet when in my presence, and that she should be so, grieved me more than words can tell. I daily returned from these skating expeditions, which I had not the courage to forego altogether, with an increasing sense of disappointment and depression. It was quite otherwise as far as Dicky was concerned. His spirits improved as mine grew more and more dejected, and I could see that each day tended to heighten his confidence. One evening we were both sitting over the fire, pufiing tranquilly at our pipes, and enveloped in tobacco smoke. Conversation had been rather difficult between us of late, and after discussing one or two indifferent matters we had relapsed into a solemn eileuce. Dicky was the first to break it. * ' "* ^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 121 12.5 ■so mtf i ■" 116 i ^ 12.2 2.0 iiim liO 1.25 II 1.4 |||.6 *« 6" ► % / '/ >^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 182 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. " Miles, old chap," he said determinedly, " I shall pop the question soon." " What I " And I started as if I had been shot. " I shall pop the question before very much longer," he repeated, rather pleased than otherwise at my sur- prise. "It is no good beating about the bush, and things are well en train, as our neighbours over the water sav." My heart beat so wildly at this announcement, that for a few moments I could not make any reply. After all, what right had I to express my disapprobation ? . He was but seeking to obtain that which I myself so sorely coveted. Hence my extreme dislike to the subject being mentioned. And was J not unreasonable in my opposition ? It could do no good, since the decision lay with Nell. It was for her to choose between us, possibly to reject both. Nevertheless a pang shot through me, as I heard Dicky's openly avowed intention. " You must do as you like," I said with forced calm. " No doubt you know best what Miss Fitzgerald's sen- timents are." " I think she's all right," answered my companion sanguinely. " Besides which, you see, Miles, time is getting on. Six weeks of our leave are up already, and I should like the affair settled one way or the other, so that I can make my plans accordingly." " Yes, I suppose so. It would be more convenient certainly." I felt like an automaton, and spoke as a clock-work creature, that performs its duty mechanically. Even now, I could hardly realize that the crisis was so close at hand. "Of course, if it comes off," continued Dicky decidedly, " I should not dream of going to India." "Wouldn't you?" How curiously my voice sounded in my ears. So cold and hard and constrained, that I scarcely recog- nized it as being[ my own. Somehow or other, at this n "!rHE GKEEN-fiYED MONSTEH." Ig3 19 moment my agony seemed to have reached a cul- minating point. "No," said Dicky. **I should sell out at once, marry as soon as I decently could, and settle down as a respectable county magnate. Nell likes country life and so do I." -^ " That's lucky." " Very, but I am easily pleased. I am always con- tented, wherever I am." " Yes," I rejoined with biting irony, " so long as you get the best of everything. Most people are contented under such circumstances." "More fools they to put up with less," returned Dicky good-humouredly. " And may I ask, just as a matter of curiosity, when you propose acquainting Miss Fitzgerald with your sentiments ? " He took a slow, steady, meditative pull at his pipe. " Well ! " he said, after a bit, " that depends a good deal upon how things go on. I have not quite made up my mind, but if matters look prosperous, as tliey do now, I don't see why I should not take advantage of this hunt ball that takes place in Whinboro' next week." " Is she going to it ? " " Oh ! yes, of course. She was speaking to me about it to-day, and saying we must be sure and honour the festivity with our presence. There are certain to be some good sitting-out corners in a ball room, besides which lights, music, dancing, and all that sort of thing, always tell with the women." " How would you like me to give Miss Fitzgerald warning of the great compliment in store for her ? " I asked sarcastically. Dicky got up from his arm-chair, and lifting his coat tails, proceeded to warm himself before the fire. "I don't think it necessary, old chap," he said seriously. " And if you wish to please me, you could not possibly do so better than by behaving exactly as you have done lately." 'I I lit; m'' i'l I ■1;': '!iV id4 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT " Indeed ! I am glad to hear my conduct has met with your approbation." " Could not have been more delicate, my dear fellow. You play gooseberry to perfection, and keep the uncle admirably engaged, whilst I make love to the niece. By Jove ! I owe you a world of thanks." I felt a kind of white heat spreading all over my frame. " So you confess to making love to the niece, do you ? " I asked in a voice of suppressed passion. " Yes," said Dicky, candidly ; " why shouldn't I ? " " Oh, no reason whatever. Have you any objection to stating how the young lady receives your amorous advances?" "Not in the least, since you are good enough to display such interest in my affairs. She rather seems to like them." And as he spoke Dicky turned, and deliberately in- spected his handsome features in the glass over the mantel-piece. " Upon my word, Miles," he said complacently, " we shall be a rather good-looking couple, shan't we ? " "We? Who?" I enquired, pretending ignorance, for his vanity disgusted me beyond measure. "Why, Miss F. and me, of course. To put it plainer, Mr. and Mrs. Kichard Dawson," giving a self- satisfied twirl to his fair moustache. I could endure this torture no longer. The only redeeming point about it was, that my companion had no idea of the martyrdom I was undergoing. He was so full of his own hopes and expectations that he had little attention to bestow on any one else. " Look here, Dicky," I said, rising from my seat and beginning to pace tempestuously up and down the room, making it shake with my angry strides. " Do exactly as you like, and propose when you like, but for goodness' sake don't let me hear another word about the concern until you are either rejected or Accepted. Then come tome to be condoled with or congratulated, as the case may be. As for playing gooseberry to your THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER,* 186 oourting, I tell you honestly I have not done so from good-nature as you seem to think. The part has been forced upon me, much against my will/' So saying, I went out of the room, and tried to cool my burning head and throbbing pulses by a midnight stroll up and down the frosty streets of Whinboro*. In vain ! A very tumult of agonizing thoughts made chaos of my brain. It seemed like a seething whirlpool of revolving matter. I had talked of warning Nell. Would it be well for me to do so? Would it be well even now, at the eleventh hour, to tell Dicky her history, and trust to his good sense to prevent him from taking the step he proposed ? >io, deep down in my innermost heart a secret voice told me that were I to do so it would be but the result of jealousy, of that wild, insensate passion, which was rapidly transforming my better nature into evil, and rendering it capable of mean, base actions. The fair moon shone down upon me ; poor struggling mortal that I was. Her soft light seemed to dwell tenderly upon my stricken frame, as if it fain would hush to rest all the wild achings, and strivings, and longings, battling wi ain my bosom. She whispered that such fierce anger and despair were unrighteous. She told me of the pettiness of human passion. How little impress it makes on the great sands of Time, and how our loves, and griefs, and joys, are of no account when compared with the vast and mvsterious universe. Shame took possession of me. The calm of Nature penetrated my being, and made me blush for my own unworthiness. Yes, Fate is stronger than that puny th'ng called man. She coerces him with her slow, resistless force, and events must ever take their course. We fancy we control themy but they control us. I had been weak, wicked, mad, but now I would try THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. and be strong, and if the worst came to the worst banish Nell from my heart ! I had not prayed for many years. Grown-up men, when they go out into the world, are apt to lose the habit, acquired at their mother's knee. But now, as I vealked along under the frosty heavens, and felt the cool night wind kissing my hot cheeks, whilst the glittering ^tars shone overhead with their pale, celestial radiance, my whole soul softened, and I offered up a silent prayer for strength and resignation. All at once it flashed upon me, that, for days past, I had been thinking too much of myself, of my personal wants and desires. Now, I would place my lot in His hands, and abide by the result. And thus resolving, by degrees my angry passions died away. The fierce conflict within my breast ceased, and in its place glided a holy calm. If Nell preferred another, I would try and bear it like a man. That night when I fell asleep I dreamt of my mother in Heaven. She seemed to smile approval on me, and as she smiled a great peace filled my being. CHAPTER XXI. IN FOR A RUN V ; When I opened my eyes next morning, I found that a complete change of weather had taken place. A rapid thaw, accompanied by a soft, persistent down-pour, altogether altered the aspect of affairs. The High Street of Whinboro*, which for many days past had been frozen quite hard and white, and was covered by a slight sprinkling of firm snow, was now converted into a state of moist, muddy slush, exceedingly flattering to the fox-hunter's hopes. For four-and-twenty hours did the rain continue without intermission, and at the end of that time a welcome message came over from the kennels, intimat- i'ii IN FOR A RUN. 187 ing to all subscribers of the Whinboro' Hunt that the hounds would meet at Burton Crc 38 Roads, five miles from the town, at twelve o'clock. The ground, although wet on the surface, was still hard underneath, owing to the severity of the frost ; but the snow that had fallen had been of great service as a protection, and every hour made^an astonishing difference in the " going." I, for one, rejoiced immensely at the change of tem- perature, and, in his heart of hearts, I believe Dicky did the same, although he would not openly own to it. As a matter of course, we elected to ride our best horses ; consequently he chose the Lothario gelding, and I The Siren. The latter seemed greatly benefited by her fortnight's rest. She had actually put on flesh ; her appetite, so Martingale assured me, had much im- proved, and she was as fresh as a kitten. When I got on her back, and turned her head away from the stable- yard, she gave a little squeal of pleasure, and bounded high into the air out of pure light-heartedness. " She seems fit and well, Martingale," I observed to that gentleman. " She's ready to run for her life," he responded in a satisfied tone. The day was a mild and genial one, offering an utter contrast to those which had preceded it. Scarcely a breath of wind stirred the tops of the hedgerows as we rode past them. The pale sun, breaking gently through a bank of misty cloud, shone radiantly out, and illu- mined with his magical beams the great heavy rain- drops hanging from each tiny blade of grass and sharp- pointed thorn, till they sparkled and twinkled like the costliest diamonds. The half-starved birds, thankful once more to be able to obtain a comparatively easy livelihood, raised their voices in grateful thanksgiving, as they flew busily from twig to twig, or else plumed their feathers in the sunshine. The soft fresh air felt doubly soft and doubly fresh, after the nipping winds which for the last fortnight had held the whole country frost-bound in their icy blasts. Even to see the green 1'^ • ) lii-. If' 188 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. fields again ^as a pleasure in itself, after becoming ac- customed to their pall of white. To me, the world seemed fairer, brighter, more enjoyable than of late. And when we got to the meet, every one appeared to be of the same way of thinking, and many were the congratulations exchanged as to the speedy and unex- pected disappearance of the frost ; for, however much people might profess to enjoy the pleasures of skating, it was quite evident that that pastime held a very dif- ferent place in their hearts from the rightly termed " Sport of Kings." A few minutes before twelve, the hounds, huntsman and whips made their appearance. Despite the idle time they had lately been having, the former looked in the pink of condition, reflecting great credit on their kennel huntsman. Captain Hooper, whose hopes of a good run were on this particular morning remarkably high, observed to me, that it was always an excellent sign when the beauties did not roll about on the grass, as if disinclined for anything but a regular lounge. " 1 don't know why it is," he said confidentially, ** but I have always noticed, that whenever hounds take to lolling on the turf, there is hardly ever a scent." " I trust that we may have one to-day," I rejoined. ** Sure to," he returned sanguinely. " If it has done nothing else, this frost has at least purified the ground, but the * going ' is a bit slippery still.** " We shall forget about all that, directly we find a good straight-running fox. Such minor considerations will soon lade from our minds." . " By Jove ! yes. I always find folks cry caution at the meet, and ride exactly as usual when they get warmed to their work. As for myself, I don't mind confessing that for once I feel as keen as mustard." ** And is not it your normal condition to be as ' keen as mustard,' Captain Hooper ? " put in a clear feminine voice cheerily. Turning round we perceived Nell, who with hef uncle had just arrived. IN FOR A RUN, 189 hey ** r don*t know, Miss Fitzgerald," replied Captain Hooper laughingly, taking off his hat as he spoke. « Don't you? I do then." " I'm afraid I \ary," he returned apologetically. *• Some days I am in jretty fair form, and others I can't ride a yard. I would give a thousand pounds to possess the same nerve as I had when I was a boy." " Come, come," exclaimed Nell banteringly. " It's all ' swagger ' yov/r talking about nerve as a desirable acquisition. Why, you do not even know the meaning of the word. But," and she glanced at me, " in my humble experience I have invariably found that the hardest riders are always the most modest as to their own performances. For one thing they are sure of them, and have no need to puff them up by personal glorification. When I hear a man trumpeting his^ deeds, somehow or other I doubt their existence except in his imagination." " You are not far wrong," returned Captain Hooper with a smile. '* I suppose you and Captain Mannington will com- pete as usual for the honour of leading the field ? " said Nell, archly. " No, Miss Fitzgerald, we leave that distinction to you," he replied gallantly. •* You have shown us your capability many a time." Nell laughed. " A truce to compliments," she said, airily, •* more particularly as the hounds are just beginning to move on. You and I, Captain Hooper, have often discussed the subject ; and have, long ago, agreed that flattery is out of place in the hunting field." So saying, she trotted off at a brisk pace, whilst Mr. Austen called out after her — "Nell, Nell — now niind what I told you. Do pray be careful." Then he turned to me, and added : ** Captain Mannington, I can depend upon you. If we should happen to have a good run, and I lose sight of this wilful girl, as, alas ! J constantly do, when it comes to jumping, will you be m 190 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. kind enough to look after her a bit, and prevent her from doing anything extra rash ? They may say what they choose, about the ground being all right, but I don't half like it ; and consider it is in a very unsafe and dangerous condition. The best horse in the world might slip, upon such a day as this.'' I tried my utmost to allay his anxiety, promising to do all that lay in my power — and take every care of Miss Fitzgerald. "Do you know that you have been placed in my charge for the day, and have to obey orders ? " I said to her, playfully, a few minutes later, as, profiting by Dicky's momentary absence,,! rode up along side. ** I ? " she said. " By whose authority ? " " Your uncle's. He has begged me to see that you come to no harm ; and so much do I sympathize with his fears, that I feel it my duty to instil caution into your too daring and adventurous mind." " How about your own then ? " " Mine, Miss Fitzgerald, is not under discussion at the present moment. Besides, I do not suppose there is a person in the world who cares two straws whether I come to grief or not." ** Your father, surely he would mind ? " " My father," I answered, somewhat sadly — for his indifiference was always a sore point with me — " does not greatly care for his eldest son. He does not con- sider he reflects much credit on his ancestors." Nell was silent a minute, as if considering my last words. " He is wrong there," she said presently. " Quite, quite wrong. Do you know. Captain Mannington, I don't think I should like your father." " Oh, yes, you would. He is a very fine man ; re- markably handsome ; and his manners are said to be charming. All women like him." " That may be — but he can't be nice ; and, what's more," very decidedly, "I haie good-looking men. They always think such a lot of themselves. The ugly ones are far pleasanter." In fob a run. itfl ^'Thanks. May I take that as a personal compli- ment ? " She blushed, and looked muchjiistressed. "I — I — never said you were ugly; and, what's more," taking courage, and lifting her eyes bravely to mine, "I don't think it. Men ought not to be smooth and rosy, and pretty, like a woman." During the above conversation we had been trotting down a narrow road, on our way to draw the nearest covert ; but further talk was now put a stop to by a sudden halt, which brought the noses of the horses behind us on to the tails of those we ourselves were riding. To the right, was a large turnip field, sepa- rated from the road by a blind ditch and high fence. The hounds hesitated, and several of them began feathering down the hedge-row. The whips cracked their long lashes, and forcibly endeavoured to persuade them to proceed. "Get along. Milkmaid. Forrard on, Silverbell," they cried, with rough admonition. But Milkmaid and Silverbell were wiser than their masters. They had winded an out-lying fox, and were determined to pursue him. Consequently, they crashed through the undergrowth of the hedge, first selecting a weak place, and thus setting the example to several of their com- panions. The huntsman — who rode at the head of the pack — paused, and looked back. At that moment old Milkmaid gave a whimper, full of significance. She was very busy in among the turnips, with her nose close to the ground, and her fine-pointed stern waving sagaciously from side to side. Silverbell joined her. The whimper passed from a whimper to a note of triumphant certainty, and in another minute the pair dashed forward, straight ahead. ' Just then a loud " Tally-ho " from one of the whips, who had been sent on to prevent the hounds from straying too far, filled the air. " By Jove ! an out-lying fox ! ** exclaimed the hunts- man. " What a nose that Milkmaid has, to be sure ! " So saying, with a cheery " View Holloa," he gathered ■if 4' i, uT'T 109 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. I ! the remainder of the pack together, and, quick a6 lightning, taking his horse by the head, cleared the big upstanding fence that led into the turnip field. Captain Hooper iuTmediately followed suit, though bis young chestnut mare made the twigs fly. ** Hold hard I gentlemen, one moment,'* pleaded Tim Burr, almost piteously, as, with a protesting gesture, he lifted up his hand. ** Give 'em a little time, now do." Galloping on a few strides, the main body of the pack suddenly got fairly on the line of their fox, and broke out into a glorious chorus of many-noted voices, which to some of us present was far sweeter than the most melodious music. The narrow road was now turned into a scene of confusion and striving. The majority endeavoured to wedge their way on to the point where the whip had taken up hisstation, and where a second road ran at right angles with the turnip field ; but a determined few, amongst whom were Nell and myself, greatly impeded their advance, by turning our horses round and attempting to jump the fence. Tim Burr and Captain Hooper had weakened it a bit by their passage, and, as usual in such cases, everybody made for the same spot, thus causing an almost complete block. Hounds by this time were some two hundred yards distant, and running like wild fire. " This will never do," I said, impatiently, to Nell. ^We shall lose our start altogether if we don't look aUve." The words were scarcely out of my mouth, when I saw an opening a few yards to the rear, where the fence certainly looked black and unyielding, butjnevertheless^ was by no means unjumpable. " Follow me," I said hurriedly, to my companion, and the next moment The Siren swished through the thorns, and, with a snort of satisfaction, landed well into the field beyond. Sweetheart seemed to have taken the mare into his good graces. At all events, he refused to be separated from her, and« seizing the bit between IN FOR A RUN. IM his teeth, he made a magDificent bound, which would have cleared an obstacle twice the size. ** That's right," I said approvingly, as we galloped hard in pursuit through the wet turnips, for hounds were now streaming like a cataract over the fence be- yond, and, making a sharp turn to the right, threatened to upset the calculations of those who had had the misfortune to stick to the road. " Come along," I cried. " I do believe we are in for a run." And it really looked like it, for, as side by side we flew the fence out of the heavy turnip field and landed into good sound turf, we could see the mottled beauties just in front, running like mad things, as they flashed over the green sward in a compact and even body, beautiful to behold. There was a breast-high scent. Occasionally, one of the younger bitches would throw her tongue, but the elder members maintained an almost absolute silence, as they raced across the grass. It was a glorious sight to see these highly trained, highly bred hounds, animated with one accord by the same desire for blood, glancing like meteors in pursuit of their quarry. Only some dozen of us were with them altogether. Those who had not had the nerve or promptitude to jump out of the road were left hope- lessly in the rear, without a prospect of rejoining the flying brauties. On, on they tore, every man doing his very best to go the pace and maintain his position. A dozen times did I thank my stars that I was riding The Siren. Neither Obadiah nor Golden Drop — good, steady hunter as he had proved himself to be — could have lived with them for a quarter of a mile. I glanced hastily at Nell. She was close beside me, sitting well back in the saddle, whilst her small hands grasped firmly at the reins. I could see that Sweetheart was pulling her considerably. He was unusually fresh, and such highly bred horses literally revel in a good fast gallop. The I I i\ I! Pi I i 194 THE GIRL IN ME BROWN HABIT. Iinl Wi llwi I ! |l l> I veins in his glossy neck were swelling, and the proud nostrils distending, as they showed their vivid scarlet linings. Fast as we were going, the gallant animal wanted to go even faster; but Nell was an experienced horsewoman, and would not allow him to expend his forces so early in the day. She controlled him with admirable skill, now giving an inch or two of rein as he snatched eagerly at the bridle, anon shortening it as the strain became less intense. Slight as those small wrists seemed, their sinews were made of steel. As we galloped full tilt down the steep side of an incline studded all over with mole-hills, I could not help ad- miring her perfect riding. Not one woman in a thou- sand would have managed a high mettled animal so well and gracefully. She sat quite quiet; only her glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes betrayed the ex- citement she was feeling. But my reflections were cut short. It was no time for meditation of any sort. Even all thought of danger — not for myself, it is needless to say, but for Nell — vanished. We dash headlong through a gate at the bottom of the hill, which mercifully proves open, and then breast the ascent on the opposite side. It is very steep, the country round Whinboro' is undulating in the extreme, but we dare not take a pull at our horses, for fear of losing the hounds altogether. When we reach the top, our steeds are puffing and blowing. A broken-winded horse in the rear gives me an uncom- fortable sensation. As I listen to that laboured breathing, I almost fancy it proceeds from The Siren, but whatever her infirmities may be, she is sound in the wind, and a good flat field of well drained grass enables her to recover from her climbing exertions. I hear the bellows growing fainter and fainter in the distance, and then they die away altogether. No broken-winded horse could keep up with the hounds as they are running to-day. Tim Burr is close at the tail of the pack. Captain Hooper is a little to the right, riding a line of his own ; Nell and I lead the division on the left, and behind us IN FOR A HUS. 195 are not more than some half-dozen sportsmen. The others have been choked off ahready by the pace, and we have regularly given the field the sUp. Our spirits rise at the thought. It may be selfish to desire to outdo one's companions, but it is human nature to rejoice when we succeed. Every man who has got well away with hounds, will bear me out in this state- ment. We are now in splendid grass country, consisting of large enclosures and fair ^ing fences. All of them have ditches, some two, but with the impetus we have on, they prove no hindrance. Our horses' blood is up, they are thoroughly warmed to their work, and go ai each successive obstacle with a willingness and dash that sends a glow of triumph through the frames of their riders. Once or twice indeed The Siren mis- judges her distance, and takes off too soon, but on every occasion the pace carries us over or through ! As for Sweetheart, he never makes a mistake, fencing throughout in the most perfect manner. With Nell's light weight, he has an advantage over most of his companions. The girl's cheeks are rosy red, her bright eyes flash fire, and on her young face settles a look of mingled resolution and delight. Her spirit coincides with mine. No power on earth should stop us now. Caution flies to the wind, as we tear onwards, and the fresh air whistles about our ears. I regret to say, all Mr. Austen's admonitions are forgotten. The ecstasy is too keen for any thought of danger to find a dwelling-place in the brain. The utmost I can do is to endeavour to choose the most likely-looking spot in each fence as we come at it. I jump first, not daring to let The Siren go after any one else, for fear of her rushing headlong on the top of the leader ; and Nell follows me in brilliant style, with all a man's gallantry and courage and a woman's feminine grace. At every serious impediment we arrive at I say to myself, " This is not fit work for a slender, delicate girl," but I withdraw the remark — or rather admiration usurps its place — when I see Sweetheart 196 THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. land like a deer, never dislodging his mistress an eighth of an inch from the saddle. We have now been galloping hard for close upon thirty minutes, and still hounds keep on their impetu- ous way, and show no symptoms of wavering. We begin to long for a check. The severity of Uie pace is telling upon the horses. Crash, crash ! go the binders of a big stake-bound fence on either side of us, and Captain Hooper is down, also Dicky ,who \;p to this point had maintained his place right well. Nell and I get over without a fall. Our pride increases. " What a glorious run ! ** I gasp hurriedly to my companion. ** Grand ! ** she responds monosyllabically. Prolonged conversation is out of the question, every faculty is engrossed in keeping one's position and not falling to the rear. And now, all of a sudden, right ahead, we catch the gleam of water as it glances like a silver streak in the cold sunlight, and we see before us an ominous line of dark stumpy willows that fringe the banks of the well- known, much-dreaded Quart, a brook celebrated for the number of gallant sportsmen who have met with immersion in its dark, treacherous depths. For a few moments the foremost hounds slacken their speed a trifle, and hope rises in our breasts. Delusive goddess ! the next minute the pack disappear, and when they again . become visible, the panting beauties are clambering up the opposite bank, with dripping skins and moist, red, hanging tongues. There is nothing for it but to do or die. "Is Sweetheart a good water jumper?" I ask anxiously. " Yes," says Nell proudly. " He is good at every- thing ; besides," and she set her rosy mouth with an air of determination, '* I should not stop now, even if he were not. But how about The Siren ? " " I don't know ; but we'll very soon find out." Tim Burr was absolute iirst, and with his customary IN FOR A RUN. 197 gallantry he raced down at the yawning seventeen-feet cavity ahead of him. He was riding as good a hunter as ever looked through a bridle, but he bad been forced to gallop at topmost speed, and the horse was a jit beat. Still, it never entered his head to refuse. He made a bold bid but he jumped somewhat short, and splash ! both he and his rider disappeared. I was close behind, so close indeed that I had only just time to pull a yard or two to the left, and at the last moment select another place. Now for it. Would The Siren jump water or not? MjT heart almost stopped beating. Yes. She cocked her fine small ears, rushed at the brook with a will, never dwelt a single second, and taking off exactly in her stride landed well on the furthermost side, though, owing to the rotten state of the banks, one hind leg gave way under her, as a large piece of earthy turf rolled with a dull sound into the water. " Put on the steam," I shouted out to Nell. ** It is bigger than it looks." There followed one minute of breathless anxiety, during which I almost closed my eyes from positive fright ; the next she was at my side, with a smile of pleasure lighting up her fair flushed face, and Sweet- heart stretching his beautiful neck and grunting with satisfaction. " Bravo ! " I cried enthusiastically ; " that was a big brook, and no mistake. If this goes on, we shall have it all to ourselves before long." I spoke triumphantly, yet I little thought my words would actually come true. Nevertheless, as one good man after another subsided into the watery depths of the Quart, Nell and I remained the only pair who negotiated that formidable cavity successfully. Tim Burr I heard afterwards could not get his horse out, and though offered another, the animal refused to jump where he had seen so many of his comrades come to grief," and the gallant huntsman was there- ' ! I V ! i I « I9d THE GIRL IN THE BROWN HABIT. fore forced to go round to the nearest fonl, some con- siderable distance off. Meanwhile, Nell and I pursued our glorious career. We were intoxicated by success, and believing this fine run could not possibly last much longer, were perhaps a little harder on our horses than we otherwise should have been. To make matters worse, too, the fields through which we now galloped were large, imperfectly drained meadows, with pools of water and half-melted snow lying on their surface. G-ame as were our nags, the heavy going told upon them. But now, more than ever, we felt that it was incumbent upon us to keep at the very heels of the pack ; for were not we the sole representatives left of that large body of horse- men who, only an hour ago, had assembled in honour of the chase? If we lived to be a hundred, such good fortune might never befall us again. An oppor- tunity like the present was one to be respected and made the most of. I believe Nell felt as I did ; anyhow, no thought of giving in entered our minds. We flew three or four easyish fences, and got over them fairly well, though at the last one The Siren pecked heavily on land- ing, and I knew that her bolt was pretty nearly shot. Even Sweetheart began to hold out signals of dis- tress, and instinctively we made for the gaps, although by so doing we lost ground. Both horses were dark with perspiration, and great beads rolled from their heated sides. *^ Surely this cannot last much longer,'* I said to my companion. " They must check soon." But though by this time the hounds were travelling at a slower rate, they still carried a good head, and continued to stream forwards. And now another obstacle loomed ahead. To all appearances it was a trifling one, consisting of a low bank with a wide ditch on the near side and surmounted by a few thin, straggly thorns. I set The Siren at it carelessly, thinking she was sure to get over all right. POOR SWEBTHEABT I 199 Fortunately for me, even when distressed she still went fast at her fences. "Whilst in the air I saw that there was another ditch, even larger than the first one on the landing side, and by rights the place ought to have been doubled. The Siren gave a convulsive wriggle to her hind quarters, nevertheless she landed with both legs well in the ditch, tumbled on to her nose, and then with a great effort recovered herself and clam- bered out, just saving a fall. " Come slowly and double it,** I called to Nell, but alas ! the warning came too late to be of service. The courageous Sweetheart, trying to follow the mare's example, endeavoured, like her, to fly the whole thing, and very nearly succeeded in doing so, but not quite. One hind hoof just dropped back with a little sharp jerk. He, too, recovered himself, however, and I thought all was well, when, to my surprise and infinite con- sternation, I saw him stagger in a feeble, lurching, rolling kind of manner for a pace or two, and then fall heavily to the ground, as if he could do no more. CHAPTER XXII. POOR SWEETBEART ! In a minute I was ofif my horse. The sight of Nell lying full length on the moist earth sobered me instan- taneously, and drove all thought of the hounds from my mind. One second sufficed to recall me from a fool's Paradise to the realities of life. "Are you hurt ? *' I enquired anxiously, bending over her as I spoke, and stretching out my hand to help her to rise. ** No, not a bit," she answered cheerily, jumping to her feet, and disdaining any assistance, " I never had an easier faU»" '■{ 203 THE OIRL IN THE BEOWN HABIT. " Thank God ! for that,** I ejaculated with a sigh of relief, for the mere idea of harm befalling her sent a chill of fear through my veins. ** A broken bone would have been a terrible termination to our run, and I could not have looked your uncle in the face had such a catas- trophe occurred." "And now,** said Nell impatiently, "let us make haste and get on again. I would not lose the finish of this splendid Hunt for worlds. Come, Sweetheart, old man,** and she took hold of the horse's bridle, and gave it a gentle tug. " It is a new thing for you to be lazy. Get up this minute, you dear ! ** For Sweetheart still lay exactly where he had fallen, with his hind legs doubled up beneath him in an uncomfortable attitude, his fore legs extended, and his head and neck stretched out flat on the green grass. Somehow I did not like his position. It hardly seemed a natural one, and I could not understand his lying so quiet, and being altogether so strangely passive. As Nell pulled at the reins, he made a feeble effort to rise, and lifted up his head about a foot ; but almost immediately he let it fall down again as before. " Why ! my beauty,'* cried Nell in surprise, " what is the matter ? You are not too tired to move, surely ? '* Almost as if the good horse understood her words, and resented the unmerited reproach, did he lift his full eye plaintively to the beloved countenance of his mistress. There was something almost human in the glance ; bat I noticed that the bright orb, usually so clear and intelligent, had a dull, glazed look. "I believe .he is beat. Miss Fitzgerald," I said. "Don't hurry him, and no doubt hell get his wind all right in a few minutes.** She turned upon me with an air of comical indigna- tion. " Beat ! ** she exclaimed scornfully. " How little you know Sweetheart to suggest such a thing. I have nevei got to the bottom of him yet. He was a little tired and hot certainly, but beat — no ! Besides, I would not have ridden him had I thought he was really dis- POOR SWEETHEART ! i»l tressed. I would give up the finest run in the world, rather than be unkind to so good a horse. And what's more, although I verily believe Sweetheart would go till he dropped, he would never lie there like a log, without making an effort, just as if he were a common underbred cart-horse," and she flushed up in defence of her favourite, not brooking the smallest insinuatipn against him. " Give me the bridle," 1 said with a touch of command, for it is sweet to the male nature to exercise authority over the woman it loves ; " very likely Sweetheart only wants a little help, and your arms are scarcely suf- ficiently strong to raise a full-grown horse from the ground. Will you be good enough to hold The Siren, and let me try what I can do ? " So saying, I took Sweetheart by the head and, putting forth all my strength, endeavoured to lift him up. Once or twice he almost succeeded in standing on his fore legs, but directly I let go my hold, he squatted down on his haunches like a dog, and finally rolled limply over. His hind quarters appeared incapable of movement. The vitalizing power seemed to have gone from them. Again and again I raised him, but always with the same result. Poor horse ! he would have got up quickly enough if he had been able, but, although the gallant spirit still was willing, the flesh was weak. A terrible suspicion shot through my mind. I dared not communicate it to Nell. I knew how dear Sweetheart was to her, and my courage failed me. She was watch- ing me with ever increasing distress. Her agitation became quite piteous. " Oh ! what — what is wrong ? '* she cried, with tears in her voice. " I am afraid he is very much hurt," I answered, gravely. / Nell turned as white as a sheet, but even in her anxiety she thought of others. " Gro on. Captain Mannington," she said. " Never mind about me. I am sure to meet some one in a few t :| i': if: I 203 THE GIRL IN THE JtfKOWN HABIT. I! I minutes who can help, and you must not lose the finish of the run on my account." " Pshaw ! " I exclaimed, impatiently. " What do I care about it when you are not there ? Do you think I should enjoy myself if I deserted you and Sweetheart when you were in trouble ? If so, you must indeed have a poor opinion of me." " But you might come back, you know, when the hounds run into their fox." " Miss Fitzgerald, please don't annoy me by sug- gesting such a thing. To begin with, I have not the slightest wish to go, and secondly, nothing on earth would induce me to leave you in your present predicament." The decision of my manner seemed to carry con- viction. " You are very good," she said softly. ** But it is just like you." " Not at all. And pray do not let us discuss the matter any longer. We must see what we can do for Sweetheart. He is the chief consideration just now." ** Ah ! poor darling. How are we to make him better?" " We can only try our best," I said ; but, in mylown mind, I knew full well that human aid could be of no avail. All the physics and nostrums in the world would not cure him. ** Captain Mannington," she said eagerly, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, ** you are so kind that I feel I may ask you to do something for me." " Most certainly." " Very well, then, will you please mount The Siren at once — this very instant — and ride ofiF as fast as you can to the nearest village. There is sure to be one somewhere close, and they will tell you where a veterinary surgeon is to be found. I want you to bring him back with you without delay." " But I do not like leaving you alone, Miss Fitz- gerald." <