THE BAKONET BEATEN AT LAST. 45 



" Gael, Beaucliamp ! they are flying instead of running. I 

 never could have believed it possible those big, bony hounds 

 could slip away in that fashion." 



" Power and speed together, Sir Francis," replied Beaucliamp ;. 

 " that has been our object in breeding hounds." 



" And that you have succeeded to the utmost, no man can 

 doubt who rides after them to-day," rejoined his companion. 



The delight of Mr. Beaucliamp, senior, when arriving on 

 the scene, may be more easily imagined than described. Fulling 

 off his hat, and wiping the perspiration trickling from his head 

 down to his neckcloth, " Well, Burnett," he asked, puffing and 

 blowing from exertion, " does this suit you 1 " 



" Yes, my old friend, although a trifle too fast." 



" Glad to hear you are pleased at last — said they couldn't 

 run away from you — what d'ye think now, Burnett 1 " 



" Beaten, sir, beaten, I confess. By Jove ! sir, this is New- 

 market work." 



" Ay, Burnett, and I'll back five or ten couple of those 

 hounds against any Newmarket horse of the present day, over 

 six miles of turf." 



" And I believe," added Sir Francis, " you would win the 



wager." 



Selina and Constance, in company with Bob Conyers, now 

 reached the spot, the last ceremonies being delayed until their 

 arrival, when Beaucliamp presented the brush to Miss Mark- 

 ham, saying the fox had been selected for the ladies' especial 

 amusement, and hoped they had enjoyed their gallop. 



" You entered beautifully for the petticoats, William Beau- 

 champ, and we never enjoyed such a gallop before ; have we, 

 Constance V 



" Oh, no!" she exclaimed; "Selina and myself raced the 

 whole distance, leaving dozens behind." 



" 'Pon honour, I am afraid, got a bad noser in trying to beat 

 us," laughed his sister. " Narcissus put his foot in a rut, and, 

 oh, demmit, what a roll he gave his master, the lifeguardsman y 

 going down the hill — thought he'd never have done turning 

 over. * Hurt 1 ' I cried out as we passed him. ' Eh ! — aw ! — ■ 

 'pon my soul, can't tell yet.' * Then, when you've found out 3 

 let me know ' — but here he comes to answer the question." 



Boars of laughter followed Miss Markham's description of 

 her brother's spill, which had not subsided when he arrived. 

 "Well, Ned," inquired his sister, "have you found out yet 

 whether you are hurt or not ?" 



