126 iRtMno IRecoUections an^ Unit Stones 



seventy years of age, and Fred Archer, who had 

 cannoned jumping out of the lane. I never could 

 make out whose fault it was, but should think as 

 much one as the other. I caught ' Comet ' and took 

 him back, finding Mr. Duncan talking to Fred as if 

 he was a schoolboy, not knowing to whom he was 

 speaking. Archer was going to retaliate, but I 

 shook my head, and I got him on to his horse and 

 away before any further conversation took place. I 

 informed Archer that Mr. Duncan was a friend of 

 Lord Wilton's, and I would make it all riofht. This 

 I did by telling Mr. Duncan that the horse was too 

 much for Archer, and they had no business to put 

 him on him. I also persuaded Archer to go and 

 apologize, and say he couldn't help it. Thus every- 

 thing was set straight. 



The next season, when Archer came down the 

 hounds met at Knossington, where Mr. Duncan 

 lived, on the first day he was out. The moment 

 Fred saw his friend he raised his hat, and Mr. 

 Duncan asked us both in to have luncheon. This 

 we accepted. Afterwards Mr. Duncan came to me 

 and said : " Custance, I think that young friend of 

 yours has very much improved in his riding since he 

 was last here." Needless to say that this amused 

 Fred very much, but I told him I thought Mr. 



