1 84 GARRYOWEN 



set about with gardens. She fancied women 

 sitting by those fires whose smoke curled up in 

 thin wreaths through the winter air — women who 

 would cast their noses up at the idea of a governess, 

 and their heads and eyes after their noses at the 

 idea of a supposititious " niece." She imagined 

 gentlemen addicted to bridge who would drain, 

 perhaps, her narrow resources. One thing pleased 

 her: the neighbourhood looked prosperous and 

 the charitable appeals, she thought, could not be 

 very exacting. On this she reckoned without the 

 knowledge that a large amount of EngHsh charity 

 begins and ends abroad. 



Then she turned and, still delaying before 

 going to see after the servants and Effie, she 

 passed round to the stable-yard. 



Andy, who was passing across the yard with a 

 bucket in his hand, touched his cap, put down 

 the bucket, and with a grin on his face, but without 

 a word, opened the upper door of the loose-box 

 that held the treasure and pride of the Frenchs. 



Scarcely had he done so than the sharp sound of 

 horse hoofs on flags was heard, and a lovely picture 

 framed itself in the doorway — the head of 

 Garryowen. 



Leaving aside the beauty of women, surely 

 above all things beautiful and sentient the head 

 of a beautiful horse is supreme. Where else in the 

 animal kingdom will you find such grace, such sen- 

 sitiveness, such delicacy, combined with strength? 

 Where else, even in the faces of men, such soul? 



