THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 191 



" It's so awful sad, too, to have to part with her — such a 

 joll}^ sort of gal and so doosid fond of me, too ! I don't 

 know, I'm sure, how I shall ever live without her." 



" Yes, that's all very well, but when a woman hints at legal 

 proceedings against a man, it's about time that he gave up 

 sentiment, and looked to defending himself, I think," said 

 Eonald decisively. 



" I say, Dennison, if — if — if she really should begin an 

 action for breach of promise, you'll defend me, won't you, 

 like a good chap? I should feel safer in the hands of a 

 friend, you know." 



" Certainly I will, if you really wish it, though I should 

 have thought you'd have had more confidence in a man 

 who was in court every day of his life, than in me. 

 However, that's just as you like. And now I must be 

 going, so good-bye ! " and shaking hands, Eonald took 

 his departure — after a meeting (purely accidental, of course) 

 with Penelope on the stairs, a stolen kiss, and a hurried 

 exchange of rings. 



After half-an-hour's abandonment to black despair, the 

 wretched Travers raised his head from the table where it 

 had been reposing, seized a pen, paper, and envelopes, and 

 laboriously composed the following missive — 



" The Chase. 

 "My deak Tottie, 



" I was awfully surprised and grieved to receive your 



letter to-day. It has made me feel quite upset to-day. You 



know I have always thought so much about you and done all 



I could to help your father's business. Think of the number 



of tarts I've eaten when I really didn't want them, and all for 



