THE HAUGHTY SHI RE HUNT. 83 



"Oh, really! " he bleated; "but I don't think they admit 

 ladies, you know, to those sort of places." 



" Oh, I suppose 3'ou don't want me, Mr. Binkie," she cried 

 in offended tones. " Very well, then; you need never come 

 here again to see me, I can tell you. I'll never speak to you 

 again, that I won't ! " 



But in order to check any further outburst — of which 

 Mr. Binkie was in the profoundest terror — he at once said — 



" Oh, it's all right, Tottie. Come along, and we'll just drop 

 in and see the horse sold, and then I'll take you somewhere 

 to lunch, eh '? " 



This had the desired effect. The lady quickly brightened 

 up, seeing that she had gained her point without actually 

 resorting to tears. Tears were fraught with danger to Miss 

 Turnover's complexion, and their ravages occupied some 

 considerable time to repair. Blowing Travers a kiss from her 

 rosy finger-tips, she tripped lightly out of the shop, screeching 

 to her mother that she was going out for the day (whereon 

 Binkie gave a slight groan), and that she, Mrs. Turnover, had 

 better call Matilda Hann to mind the shop in her absence. 



Ten minutes later she returned, wearing a costume of plaid — 

 the pattern of which it would take at least two people to show 

 ■off — surmounted by an enormous hat, about four times round 

 to the mile, with nodding, hearse-like plumes. The whole 

 toilette was of such an astonishing description that poor 

 Trousers had to take yet another cherry brandy before he 

 ■could muster up sufficient courage to open the shop door, and 

 break covert with her in the direction of the waiting cab. 

 They at once drove off towards St. Martin's Lane, the hat 

 continually bobbing in Trousers's eye, or hitting him upon 



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