416 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



travellers, almost invariably afforded capital runs, and although 

 so early in the season, the one selected on this day had resolved 

 to maintain the reputation of his family, although at the cost of 

 his life, being pulled down in the open after an hour and fifty 

 minutes. With blind ditches and close weather, every horse 

 had quite or more than sufficient work to keep anywhere near 

 the pack with their first fox, without requiring a second ; and 

 their riders, being in this case disposed to let well alone, did not 

 express dissent to the order — home. 



The dinner party at Bampton in the evening was on a large 

 scale, about thirty sitting down to table ; the Countess (late 

 Mrs. Gordon) performing her part in the entertainment with 

 her usual affability, supported by her two pets, Blanche and 

 Constance, who won golden opinions from all their guests by 

 their unaffected manners and cheerful good humour. 



After the ladies had retired, Bob Conyers gave the toast 

 usual on such occasions — " Fox-hunting and the Master of the 

 Hounds " — which was received with general applause. 



"Gentlemen," said Conyers, rising, after silence had suc- 

 ceeded, " there is one toast more I must be allowed to propose 

 on this most auspicious day, which I am quite sure will be 

 received with enthusiasm — ' The Countess of Annandale, and the 

 Ladies Beauchamp and Malcolm.' " 



" Hurrah ! " shouted Gwynne, springing to his legs, " a 

 double bumper to them — they are the right sort, Bob, like the 

 Park Wood foxes, and endeavour to combine the pleasures of 

 'The Field and the Fireside.' " 



" And now," continued Conyers, when the cheers had sub- 

 sided, " our labours of love having been brought to a happy ter- 

 mination, I will wind up, on behalf of the newly made Bene- 

 dicts, in the words of Cotton : — 



' Though fools spurn Hymen's gentle powers, 

 We, who improve his golden hours, 

 By sweet experience know 

 That marriage, rightly understood, 

 Gives to the tender and the good 

 A paradise below.' " 



THE END. 



PETTEB AND GALP1N, BELLE SAUVAGE PBINIING WOKKS, LUDGATE HILL, LONDON, E.C. 



