MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 273 



If Miss Badsworth did not hunt the hounds to-day, it's 

 impossible that she can complete the calendar month of 

 November." 



Victor was silent ; he was thinking of Jack Morgan whom 

 in his previous castle building he had forgotten. 



** Well, you had better go home and think of a reply to a 

 note you will probably get from my aunt if Hart peaches, 

 which he will to a certainty. She can write pretty straight, 

 as I know from experience." 



" Oh ! that's soon done," Majendie replied airily. 



When by-and-by Bickersdyke was announced. Jack 

 Morgan felt no surprise ; but he was annoyed, because he 

 fully intended going over to Cranston, and, if possible, having 

 an interview with Lavvy. It was, perhaps, rather unfair of 

 him to associate Majendie's " drag " with Victor Bickersdyke, 

 but such was the case nevertheless. 



The mutual greetings were formal and strained, but there 

 was something of the preliminary crossing of swords in the 

 conventional words. 



" I have called on you as the executor of my late uncle's 

 Will," said Victor when he had taken a seat. 



"Yes? Light up." Jack pushed a box of cigarettes 

 across the table. " What's the matter ? " 



Victor did not know exactly why Jack's manner discon- 

 certed him. Though he was much more abstemious than 

 he used to be, he wished that Morgan had oftered a drink as 

 well as a smoke. 



" You are aware, of course, that Miss Badsworth abstained 

 from hunting the hounds to-day, and this is the first of 

 November." 



" The second, I fancy," looking at the almanac on the 

 table. 



''The first day of hunting in November, I meant." 



"Quite so." 



" Anyway, Miss Badsworth did not hunt the hounds." 



" Lucky for your friend — what's his name — she didn't ; 



18 



