264 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



place. Why, you would have been horsewhipped off the field ! 

 Because / can't horsewhip you, neither can my niece, though 

 it is possible in her present state of mind she would be 

 capable of making the attempt " 



" You could, you know," said Browne, thinking that after 

 all it would be the best solution of the difficulty. " We 

 could only do our best to take punishment." 



In spite of herself Miss Badsworth lost her dignity for the 

 moment and smiled. 



" No," she said, "/ like to play /air, and I am not at all 

 sure if I horsewhipped you both I should be chastising the 

 real offenders." 



" You wouldn't be far wrong if you turned to upon us, 

 Miss Badsworth. I'm almost sorry you are not going to do 

 it. It seems so poor only to be able to say we apologise, 

 and are deuce — awfully sorry." 



*' As far as I am concerned what you have said is quite 

 sufficient, for I am sure you mean it, and I think I am right 

 in saying it has been a great trial to you to come over and 

 do the proper thing." 



" It was the very deuce," said Browne with conviction, 

 though his voice was subdued. 



'' Very well, as far as you two are implicated I am going 

 to forget the matter, but I must insist upon your apologis- 

 ing to my niece, who is far more hurt than I am. After 

 that I will give you some tea before you go." 



It was a painful interview and Miss Badsworth was glad 

 to close it. 



The two young men's countenances, which had brightened 

 up gradually, fell as Miss Badsworth rang the bell and in- 

 structed the butler: "Take these cards to Miss Lavinia, 

 and tell her that two gentlemen wish to see her in the 

 library ". 



" She's a sensible girl, but if she does let off a little steam 

 over these youths, it won't hurt them," Miss Badsworth 

 thought. 



As for the Hon. Murdock and Mr. Browne, they felt as 



