MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 271 



** Couldn't have been, miss. You weren't able to get to 

 them at startin*, and it's a marvel to me, from what Ned 

 says, that you got to them when you did. I've run a fox to 

 ground in those brickfields more than once, and I know the 

 country." 



Perhaps Messrs. Murdock and Browne owed much to that 

 interview. 



Now, if there was much searching of hearts and disap- 

 pointment amongst those whose day's sport had been cut 

 short, Victor Bickersdyke was not one of the number. Having 

 seen what he wanted to see, viz., his aunt make no attempt 

 at hunting the hounds, he walked leisurely home, taking 

 Cranston on his way. It struck him as being a dull spot for 

 any one without country pursuits. He neither fished, nor 

 shot, nor hunted, and agriculture was a pursuit to which he 

 had no leaning. The redeeming feature was, of course, the 

 money ; that could do a good deal. He could let the place 

 and live elsewhere ; but after all it was Lavvy that he 

 wanted. He had a great liking for her; she was cheery, 

 energetic, likely to be popular and would take an immensity 

 of trouble off his hands. 



Lavvy was, however, a difficult person to deal with. 

 Whenever he had suggested matrimony he got a snub ; he 

 didn't mind that, for he felt certain that Bickersdyke, the 

 wealthy man, would differ as a suitor from Bickersdyke, the 

 virtual pauper. One of the chief difficulties would be that 

 Lavvy would be staunch to her aunt ; but supposing he 

 agreed to advance no claim to Cranston, provided Miss 

 Badsworth made a settlement on him, how would it be then ? 



There is nothing like a good opinion of one's self to assist 

 in removing obstacles or breaking down the wire entangle- 

 ments in the preamble of a scheme. Walking slowly, and 

 so occupying a considerable time, Victor was surprised when 

 Majendie rode up behind him. 



" Home so soon ! " he exclaimed. " What's the matter ? " 



Majendie told him in that hollow, jocund strain, wherewith 

 some endeavour to turn a fiasco into a success. 



