Hunting in the Golden Days. 23 



seldom or never relinquish their efforts without having 

 obtained the desired result. 



" I am so sorry," says Miss Janet, " to hear of your 

 breakdown on the road to-day, but I am glad to hear from 

 my brother that you are none the worse for your esca- 

 pade. Indeed, it would have been a sad thing if we 

 had had to nurse you here during Christmas with, per- 

 chance, a broken limb, whilst the remainder of our guests 

 were enjoying themselves below." 



" You are, indeed, thoughtful," replied Goodbery, " to 

 think so kindly of me, for, as you say, the pleasures of 

 Christmas would have, indeed, evaporated had such a 

 contingency as you name occurred." 



*' Had you not better," continued the thoughtful lady, 

 '■'■ call in the assistance of our neighbouring apothecary, 

 who is, indeed, a sage and learned man, and have your- 

 self overlooked by him, for we know the adage, ' a stitch 

 in time saves nine,' and it may reasonably be applied 

 in your case." 



" Indeed, Miss Janet," replied Goodbery, " it is no 

 worse than many a fall I have had in the hunting field ; 

 for there oftentimes the plough is soft, and the well- 

 padded sides of my coach offered the same kindly 

 protection." 



" You must then, at least, let me administer one of my 

 cordial draughts, for though you look lightly on the 

 matter, so serious a shock is oftentimes followed by a 

 fever." 



Goodbery, who has no idea of these nostrums, politely 

 declines, assuring the lady that he is quite unhurt. 



" Yes, but you must remember that you have had a 

 narrow escape of your life, Mr. Goodbery, and you 

 might be lying a corpse on your bed instead of sleeping 

 in it to-night. Ah, life is a solemn reality, and it is as 



