DEEPER AND DEEPER. 93 



-every fence within hail of them have more than once felt the 

 rush of the passing chase. Wednesday, Friday, and Monday 

 .ao-ain, hounds ran fast over the same area, Firr duce or Gillard 

 .consule. 



Friday was rainy from start to finish — but very different from 

 the many wet days of the present season, for the rain fell soft 

 and warm, and covert coats were gladly thrown aside before 

 work began — the disclosures (I speak as one of the many on 

 whom the impeachment may rest) showing that comfort, as very 

 •distinct from either ornament or even respectability, had been 

 ithe aim of the toilette. Some men will maintain a smart 

 ;appearance under almost any difficulties, out of a very proper 

 respect for themselves and an innate appreciation of the regard 

 of others — and a certain number of these were doing their duty 

 to-day, in pink and beaver. At the meet and at the early 

 covertside they stood out in marked superiority, a credit to 

 their tenets and their Hunt ; while the ill-dressed ones shuffled 

 -uneasily in their saddles, standing as far aloof as possible from 

 -criticism, and shunning all society save that of their fellow 

 .sinners. But, a very little while of the water and slush, that 

 ■throughout the day reigned paramount around and underfoot, 

 'reduced elegance and shabbiness, the spendthrift and the 

 •economist, to the same muddy level — making the bright flower 

 faded and bedraggled, and hiding the modest weed under a 

 ■ cloak that covered all his shortcomings. 



Thorpe Satchville Hall being the meet, the Master arranged 

 to visit Gartree Hill to commence with, and thus secured for 

 Mr. Hartopp's fine covert, for once, a freedom from footpeople, 

 .and a fair chance. Even under these circumstances the foxes 

 were fully alive ; and a brace broke away over the Burton Flat 

 directly hounds were in covert. Though a cold wet fallow met 

 the lar.ter as they emerged, the pack showed at once what the 

 scent was to be ; and in a few seconds more they were together 

 .and away over the grass. A locked gate and a bullfinch of 

 twenty years' growth then stood in the path, to damp ambition 

 .and ardour just bursting into flame. Here it was, I fancy, that 



