48 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



quite silent upon the matter respecting his 

 nephew, would be an act approaching 

 injustice; for, although the number was more 

 choice, and^to be strictly correct — comprised 

 no old women whatever, yet there is no 

 question but every pretty, young, and 

 unmarried one within the wide range of 

 Ned's jaunts and wanderings might be fairly 

 registered among them. And no wonder; for 

 Ned was spruce and handsome, and had soft 

 looks, and yet softer words, for those with 

 whom he wished to be in favour. His jest and 

 laugh, too, were free and hearty; and where- 

 ever he went, ** Welcome " awaited him. 



The short sketches of those in immediate 

 authority would still be incomplete if Old 

 Mark the Feeder was allowed to escape obser- 

 vation. Whether he possessed a surname is a 

 subject known only to himself; for nobody 

 ever heard him spoken of, or to, but as *' Old 

 Mark. ' ' From infancy he had been employed 

 in the kennel, and owed his want of promotion 

 to a nervous inability to become a horseman. 

 No exertions on his own part, or those of 

 others, could render him anything like com- 

 petent to ride to hounds; and the result was 

 that, after a long and patient trial to obtain 



