196 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



he had journeyed down in case a committee of the hunt, 

 which he supposed existed, might be in want of a master for 

 the coming season. Committees in a hole were apt to be 

 hberal, and to put up with poor quahfications provided that 

 sotne one would undertake the responsibility and save them 

 trouble. 



Captain Majendie had little to offer, but he traded on the 

 fact that people in a difficulty were not very particular. 



The first blow to his scheme was dealt when he found 

 how matters stood — that there was no committee. Then 

 fortune favoured him, for in the smoking-room of the 

 Crown and Cushion he met Victor Bickersdyke. 



Victor was only too glad to air his prospects and find a 

 ready listener. 



"You think, then, that Miss Badsworth will fail to fulfil 

 the requirements of the Will," Captain Majendie remarked, 

 when Bickersdyke paused. 



" Certain of it as that I am sitting here." 



" Then you will come into a nice property. Of course you 

 will keep on the hounds ? " 



"No; I shall get rid of the lot — lock, stock and barrel." 



" Surely that would be a pity. You see," the Captain said 

 insinuatingly, "there will be all sorts of opinions on the 

 matter if Miss Badsworth has to relinquish her claim ; and 

 being master of a pack of hounds would enable you to get 

 over the adverse views, and people soon forget, if they have 

 a reason for forgetting." 



" But I know nothing about hunting, and care less," 

 Bickersdyke said. 



"But that doesn't matter; lots of people do the same. 

 You shouldn't throw away the position, M.F.H. may not 

 mean much to you, but it's astonishing what others think 

 of it. You've only got to get some good man to do the 

 work. I came down here thinking to find a committee and 

 offer my services ; there is no committee, so I'll ofi'er them 

 to you. It isn't like having to buy, everything is cut and 

 dried, and the position you will hold will amply repay you 



