THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 171 



tacked on to our hero, and took him through the glass-houses, 

 melon-houses, grape-houses, and every other sort of buildmg 

 appertammg to Catchem Court. She showed him the pictures — 

 \Yhich were very good ; the old china — which was atrocious ; 

 and finally her collection of dolls, playful reminiscences of 

 her babyhood — quite recent, one would think, if one judged 

 by her conversation and not by her appearance. Then she, 

 with the kittenish fancy of thirty-four summers, finally put 

 one of the dolls into Mr. Binkie's arms. 



" Oh, really ! " squeaked Binkie in rather alarmed tones, 

 and looking askance at the doll. " But I say, you know — 

 I— I " 



"Don't you like my pretty doll?" pouted the ripe beauty. 

 " "Well, come along then, give the dear to me ; I love her. I'll 

 just put them awa}', and then we'll go and get some tea. I 

 suppose you're going to hunt to-morrow '? Colter's Barn, you 

 know, they meet. And we're all coming out in the carriage to 

 see you — what is it? fall off? — no, tJtrow off, that's the correct 

 term, isn't it ? I do so love hunting — it's so bold of men to 

 hunt, I think, and 1 do love bold men. All hunting men viiist 

 be brave, I'm sure. I've heard so much about the way you 

 ride with hounds, Mr. Binkie." 



Mr. Binkie looked slightly disconcerted, and rather wished 

 she hadn't. 



"Oh, really ! " he began, but was saved the efibrt of an}' 

 further observations, and his mind relieved at the same 

 moment, as the lady again gave tongue. 



" Yes. How bold your riding is, and what terrible horses 

 you always will have ! I suppose you'll be jumping some 

 dreadful things to-morrow, won't you ? " 



