AN IMPERIAL HUNTRESS. 79 



are the sounds that we hear. While the hounds are 

 busy in their endeavour to find a fox, the Empress 

 rides quietly -to the coverside, and an opportunity is 

 afforded to everyone of seeing and admiring this 

 distinguished huntress. In a very few minutes the 

 welcome cry of " Tally ho ! tally ho ! Gone away, 

 gone away ! " is heard, and there is a rush of horsemen, 

 all endeavouring to get a good start. Piloted by 

 Captain Middleton, the Empress gets through the 

 crowd, and goes away at a rattling pace, taking the 

 fences in right good form. The bay is excited, and 

 starts at a tremendous pace, seeming as if he would 

 get the better of his rider, but the Empress is equal 

 to the occasion. Pulling him together, and turning 

 him round, and being thus cleverly steadied, he goes 

 in proper form during the remainder of the run. The 

 fox goes in the direction of Carton, and then makes 

 for the Bickerton Hills ; afterwards doubling back, he 

 returns to the cover at Macefan, but is not allowed to 

 remain there long, and breaks cover again this time 

 across the vale, where the ground is deep and holding, 

 making for the Wyches, and thence in the direction, 

 of Malpas, when the hounds were lifted to a "Halloo !" 

 at the fox having been viewed crossing the Whit- 

 church Road. I was able to take a note of the field, 

 a very small portion of those who started being with 

 Payne when he made a cast, and got again on the line 

 of the fox, who led them a merry and somewhat cir- 

 cuitous dance of fully two hours over a stiff line of 

 country a run, however, that was nevertheless entirely 

 satisfactory, and thoroughly en joyed by the royal visitor. 

 Of the Empress's skill as a horsewoman there can be 

 no difference of opinion, and of her love of fox-hunting- 



