1 86 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



stand he has been trying to get a pack of hounds with every- 

 thing found. They say he rides hard, and no doubt can 

 holloa and swear, which some committees think sufficient 

 qualification, but up to date he doesn't seem to have been 

 successful." 



"Victor is going to write and ask auntie to let him have 

 free access to the kennels." 



'* And what is auntie, I mean Miss Badsworth, going to 

 say in reply ? " 



" When I told her she said without a moment's hesitation 

 that she " 



" Would see him anywhere first ? " 



'' Well, words to that effect." 



" Under the circumstances I do not think that she could 

 possibly do better." 



*' What is there against Captain Majendie ? " 



" Nothing particular, that I know of." 



Lavvy smiled at Jack's effort to maintain a neutral 

 position. 



** What is there you donH know of? " she asked, laughing. 

 " Mr. Morgan, I can see with half an eye you don't like 

 Captain Majendie. Why ? " 



'* Miss Lavinia Badsworth " (with a certain amount of 

 imitation of Lavvy's tone), *' I hardly know. Prejudice, per- 

 haps. I do feel prejudiced against him. It's like this : though 

 your cousin may be troublesome and annoying to your aunt, 

 he personally won't hunt or take interest in the hounds, so 

 he won't bother you." 



" Never mind about me." 



** But that's just it, I do mind about you. Majendie is 

 the sort of man to worry you exceedingly ; if an inch is 

 given him he will take fifty yards, and if nothing is given 

 him he will take it just the same, he's an irrepressible sort 

 of bounder ; and if Bickersdyke backs him, as I fear he is 

 inclined to do, he will always be at your elbow and trying to 

 interfere." 



" Then you do know something about Captain Majendie." 



