The Life of a Great Sportsman 



my own when I first saw her — there are, after all, few truer 

 judges of character than children, and that same impression has 

 only been intensified in later years. 



As to her personality, it was her eyes that struck one first. 

 Large, clear, and blue, as only Irish eyes can be, her manner 

 had the peculiar fascination that only a thoroughly kindly 

 heart and buoyant temperament can give. Then, again, who 

 would fail to admire the perfect little figure, showing to such 

 advantage on horseback ? 



The good Lincolnshire folk, whether those in her own rank of 

 life or in a humbler position, were completely captivated by her. 

 Men, women, and children — she charmed them all. A dignified 

 yet true kindliness proceeded from a soul brimful of the real love 

 of humanity, that true nobleness of the human soul which is, 

 alas ! by no means always the accompaniment of a noble name. 



In the days I am writing about, so very few of the gentler 

 sex followed the hounds, that when one appeared, as in Lady 

 Worsley's case, who really went well, without thrusting herself 

 forward, over-riding hounds, or in any way making herself a 

 nuisance to the hunting field, it can be readily imagined how, 

 in a sporting country like ours, such a visitant was not only 

 very noticeable, but very welcome. And undoubtedly with her 

 advent into North Lincolnshire and her love of sport, the whole 

 aspect of the Brocklesby hunt changed from grave to gay. Not 

 only did she come out to every meet that it was possible she 

 could attend, but it was an extremely rare thing, if her mount 

 was good enough, that she did not stay out the day through, 

 and ride not only well, but with extraordinary courage and 

 judgment, and still more rare if she did not see a run through 

 from start to finish. 



But perhaps the most remarkable feat of all was that she 

 jumped fences seated in the old-fashioned two-crutched saddle. 



46 



