1 84 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



viding sport or the reverse, for there were at least two litters 

 of cubs on his domain. The mission on the whole was suc- 

 cessful. 



Stephen Harris, though a morose-mannered man, had un- 

 bent considerably under Lavvy's genial influence. She asked 

 to see his young birds which she had heard made a wonderful 

 show, and congratulated him upon them. 



*' Oh, I'll do very well if I ain't ate up by those messes of 

 foxes." 



" If any one in the world could show both," Lavvy said, 

 ** it ought to be you." 



Stephen Harris pondered. 



'' So you're going to hunt the hounds, are you, mum ? 

 Lor', you'll tire to death, messing about after them." 



" Very likely ; but I shall do, if you good folk will only 

 help me." 



Then she put a seal upon Harris's doubts by visiting his 

 wife. 



On the return journey the Banker, on excellent terms with 

 himself, cantered across a large pasture field with the long 

 easy stride which made him such an excellent hack ; he was 

 used to short cuts, and popped cleverly over the low stile 

 which barred the way into a shady grass-grown lane. Jack 

 Morgan turned an adjacent corner at the same moment. 



" The very person I wanted to see ! " Lavvy exclaimed 

 eagerly as she reined in the pony. 



Possibly Jack would have preferred more of species than 

 genus in the tone of her voice. He raised his cap and 

 replied : — 



" Nothing like being in the right place when wanted, as I 

 believe I remarked once before. I wouldn't have missed 

 that pretty sight yonder for the world. I saw you coming 

 across the field, and I hurried up for I knew the stile. 

 You are a wonderful little chap " (patting the Banker's chest), 

 ** and you " looking at the girl with honest admiration. 



" Be serious, and don't talk nonsense," Lavvy interrupted. 

 ** It's an important matter." 



