244 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



kindly nature sympathising with the two women in the 

 ordeal through which they were passing, though without an 

 outward sign in either case. Presently he leant back in his 

 chair and laughed that boyish laugh which Lavvy loved to 

 hear, and which Miss Badsworth had begun to regard as a 

 sort of mental tonic. 



** Never mind," he said, as though either or both ladies 

 had expressed their inmost feelings. " Never mind, we shall 

 get out of it somehow. It's the very funniest thing that has 

 occurred in modern days, and really if he foresaw it, one 

 would be bound to reckon Hugo a wit instead of a fool. I 

 will say this, I believe you two are the pluckiest women in 

 existence ; talk of Joan of Arc, indeed ! " 



** We haven't been talking about her, dad. Do you think 

 she got tired of being Joan of Arc ? " 



" Hadn't time, child ; though I have always thought it a 

 pity she didn't knock off after her first great success." 



"Well, I won't err in the same way, dad ; eight or nine 

 more days and then my work will be done." 



" You've shown very good sport, child ; it would be a pity 

 not to hold on to the end of the season if you don't find the 

 work too hard." 



" Now, don't talk nonsense, Charles. Hugo was perfectly 

 right, there are things which a man can do and a woman 

 cannot, that is, without great personal sacrifice ; when No- 

 vember is out, whatever happens, Lavvy shall be free as far 

 as the hounds are concerned." 



Miss Badsworth spoke with an air of authority which took 

 her brother's fancy. 



" You're quite a different person, Lavinia, from what you 

 were when I renewed my acquaintance with you. You have 

 shown real pluck, and, forgive me, it has done you a lot of 

 good to have to do it." 



" I know what you mean, Charles," Miss Badsworth said 

 smilingly. " Poor Hugo ! " 



" I don't know so much about poor Hugo. Pm not clear 

 about his saneness yet. It's that twinkle in his eye there" 



