262 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



she had an instinctive feeling that something unusual be- 

 longed to it, and this was confirmed by the appearance of 

 the visitors, who, though they would have displayed no shy- 

 ness under the ordinary conditions of Society, now evinced 

 an evident desire to get behind one another. 



Miss Badsworth had risen from her chair, but something 

 in the uneasiness in the manner of her guests caused her to 

 pause before she advanced to shake hands with them, so 

 instead she asked, " Won't you sit down ? " 



She remembered she had seen them at the meet that 

 morning, but did not know who they were beyond the fact 

 that their names were on their cards. 



Seated uncomfortably on two chairs, with their hats be- 

 side them on the floor, the Hon. George Murdock looked at 

 Mr. Lancelot Browne, who in his turn looked at Murdock 

 with an expression which was meant to convey "You are 

 senior". 



There was a pause which seemed an eternity to both, and 

 then Murdock dashed into the breach. 



" Er — Miss Badsworth, we've come to offer you our 

 humble apologies." 



Nothing happened ; the earth didn't open, so Mr. Browne 

 added, "We've behaved like — in fact we've played — er — a 

 dirty sort of game, and — er — we're deuced sorry ". 



Miss Badsworth, now perfectly aware of what was coming, 

 bent her head and said : — 



" Perhaps you will kindly explain." 



The two young men looked at her ; she was very grave 

 and dignified, and they themselves felt unutterably small, 

 but there was a natural softness in the expression in Miss 

 Badsworth's face which fanned their sinking courage. 



" We ought to have known better, Miss Badsworth, but 

 the truth is we thought there was only going to be a bit of 

 fun," said Murdock. 



" And that we should have a good ride, but it seems from 

 what every one says we made a great mistake, and so we 

 came to say so," said Browne. 



