MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 159 



*< Yes ; these things make a difference, don't they ? That 

 is why women will never wear them ; but be as quick as you 

 can, you will find a cup of tea ready in the hall." 



Lavvy disappeared, and Mrs. Dickinson commenced her 

 toilet in a dazed condition of mind, trying to recall Lavvy's 

 explanations and directions of the previous evening. 



" Lunge her in deep ground if she is restive, that is to 

 say, keep her occupied with unfamiliar things," Jack Morgan 

 had advised, '* she'll be all the more tractable if she is a bit 

 below herself." 



Lavvy saw the wisdom of the advice when Mrs. Dickinson 

 somewhat awkwardly descended the stairs. 



" You are surely not going out hunting," she exclaimed, 

 giving vent to the anxieties which were inwardly besetting 

 her as Lavvy thrust a horn into the breast of her coat. 



" No ; we don't hunt in July, though I believe my uncle 

 used to say he had killed a fox in every month of the 

 year. Come and have some tea, we must make a start 

 directly." 



The grey pall of mist which gave promise of a hot day 

 assisted in damping Mrs. Dickinson's courage as the two 

 made their way to the stables, and the sight of the Banker 

 with another smart pony beside him affected her as the 

 scaffold must affect the criminal who realises that hope is 

 gone. For the next few minutes Mrs. Dickinson was so 

 occupied with attempting to be at one with the Banker, who, 

 resenting being hard held by the head, broke into a short, 

 jerky trot, that she never clearly realised what occurred. 

 She had a dim recollection afterwards of a grave-looking 

 man in a long white coat ; a sea of black, white and tan 

 which flowed with welcoming sounds towards her com- 

 panion ; two men in bowler hats, red coats, breeches and 

 top-boots, who sat quietly upon their horses a little apart 

 from one another ; a number of names reeled off by Miss 

 Lavvy as she leaned down from her pony and seemingly 

 addressed atoms in the vortex of waving sterns, and then 

 one short and one long note on the horn, which made the 



