6 The Master of the Hounds, 



came at last to Messrs. Upton and Larkins's missive, his 

 surprise and delight knew no bounds. He could scarcely 

 believe his eyes in fact. His hand trembled so, that he spilt 

 half his coffee over his beautiful new velvet smoking-suit 

 (French blue, with foxes' heads embroidered all over it), 

 and he was obliged to have a glass of his best liqueur 

 brandy to steady himself. '^ With Lord Daisyfield's com- 

 pliments ! " gasped he. 



'' Well, 1 always said his lordship was a first-chop 

 feller, and now I'm sure of it ; so here's 'is jolly good 

 'ealth, and 'is 'ounds'too !" and with that Mr. Baggs tossed 

 off another glass of eau-de-vie to the toast. 



The next day, Tuesday, the Harkaway Hounds met at 

 " Slipperfield Common," and amongst the earliest arrivals, 

 as the papers say, you may be sure were Messrs. Upton 

 and Larkins, looking as if butter would not melt in their 

 mouths, and Mr. Baggs — Mr. B. on his best horse, with 

 his best coat, and a brand new cap on, and in a perfect 

 fever of excitement ; indeed, he hadn't slept a wink all 

 night. Such dreams he had had ! Delightful visions 

 of slapping my lord familiarly on the back, and 

 calling him ''Daisyfield, old boy," his lordship 

 retaliating with '' Baggs, old pal ; " of Lady 

 Daisyfield presenting his daughter Julia at the next draw- 

 ing room, and a hundred other pleasant fancies. Five 

 minutes to the half-hour. And is it ? Yes, here comes 

 my lord. The grateful Mr. Baggs can scarcely keep 

 himself from galloping off to meet him. However, he 

 waited until the noble Master joined the crowd of horse- 

 men, and then came gallantly to the front, cap in hand. 

 " Good morning," my lord, said he. ''Allow me to thank 

 you most 'eartily for your condescension in so kindly 



