320 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



a good huntsman," Lavvy remarked, with a twinkle in her 

 eyes which neither uncle nor aunt noticed. 



" Beckford had some queer experiences with his huntsmen 

 if all he says is true, Lavvy. I have often wondered what 

 sort of a fellow he was to whom Peter wrote. It never was 

 clear to me that he was worthy of the compliments paid 

 him. Some of the implied questions were those of one in 

 complete ignorance of his subject, and then again Beckford 

 speaks of him as possessed of experience." 



Charles Badsworth got up from the table and looked at his 

 brother's portrait. 



" Don't go far away, dad," Lavvy said. " I shall want 

 you presently." 



" I am only going to the stables," was the reply. 



" Auntie," Lavvy said, as the door closed, " I found uncle's 

 Will last night. I thought Jack — I mean Mr. Morgan — as 

 executor should see it first. Cranston and the estate g*"^er- 

 ally goes to dad ; you " 



"Thank God!" ejaculated ]\Iiss Badsworth. "That is 

 exactly as it ought to be. Tell me all about it, Lavvy." 



A watchful pair of eyes noted the approach of a tweed-clad 

 figure coming across the park at a brisk pace, and Lavvy 

 promptly went to meet the comer, doing her best to conceal 

 a limp. It was a sunny morning, for a white frost had 

 followed the rain and gale, and now the light fell on the 

 girl's curly hair as she came. 



" My darling, how lame you are ! " Jack exclaimed, seizing 

 her hands with both his own. 



" Oh, it's only a bruise," Lavvy replied. 



*' Only a bruise ! How you remind me of that morning at 

 Dewthorpe when my new world began. I got your note, but 

 I was coming over, because Rogers called last night (you 

 remember he married the head housemaid from here) and 

 asked if we had looked in the drawer of the oak chair in 

 which you sit to write ; his wife says there is a drawer." 



" Is there one ? Under that chair ? Let us go and 

 look." 



