A CHECK BEFORE ITS TIME. 549 



A CHECK BEFORE ITS TIME. 



So this is what was meant by Monday's scent, that burned 

 fiercely everywhere — a coming frost and an early winter ? 

 Wednesday has dealt us a slap-in-the-face, Thursday confirms 

 it with a knock-down blow. On Sunday we could not bear a 

 fire. To-day we cannot get near enough to one ! Under little 

 more provocation I shall take my twenty thousand a year to 

 Pau ; where, besides a pack of hounds, there is said to be a 

 small field and an equable climate. I had it on my very lips 

 to urge six days a week till further orders — and here are the 

 orders thrust in our face, " No Parade till further notice ! " 



Friday, Nov. 21. — We should hardly have been so pleased 

 with a mere fifteen minutes' spin, had the first three weeks of 

 November been in airy degree rich with sport. By no means 

 had they — so men made the most of their little ride, and swore 

 it was " capital fun." Besides, it came to them unexpectedly. 

 They thought they were in Nobottle Wood for the day, and 

 were pleased as schoolboys when they were sent forth to 

 scamper awhile in the open valley beneath. The Pytchley had 

 met at Brock Hall ; had hunted a fox thereat with apparently 

 little scent ; and then found themselves in the big wood above 

 named. For once down and for once back the field were keen 

 and lively enough. Then, I fear, the majority settled, in many 

 instances, to luncheon. At any rate they were not there in 

 force when hounds spoke out that their fox was away under 

 Harpole. 



A better scent in the open than in covert, which was scarce 

 surprising under this late November's leaf fall. (The oaks only 

 began to disrobe themselves during the week past.) There was 

 every incitement in the view of the grassy, well-fenced vale 

 below, with the glistening pack (you know how they sparkle 

 and glint in the blue atmosphere of a still day) driving into 

 their work, two big green fields away. To clamber the down- 

 slope, to accept the easy swinging fences, was easy, natural, and 

 delectable. A lady was readiest at start, and, I verily believe, 



