THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 197 



a year — you'd never even miss that, you know, Sep — and 

 let 'em marry. It seems to me it's the only way we shall 

 €ver get into society, now. As to that stoopid boy of ours, 

 he'll never be any good to us, that's certain, as he's got into 

 this mess. I'm afraid the Catchem Court people won't even 

 look at him, now, and Dennison's a very pop'lar man, all 

 round. And — and — " (and this had been working powerfully 

 in Mrs. Binkie's mind, for the past week), "and he's got that 

 Prince feller stoppin' with him, and I should awf'ly like to 

 have him here and entertain him so as all the people round 

 about should hear of it. If we could only get him up to 

 The Chase to spend Christmas Day, now ! " and Mrs. Binkie 

 clasped her hands ecstatically, at the thought of so much 

 glory as entertaining a real live Indian Prince. She sank 

 into a state of deep thought for a time, and then looked 

 up to see her lord peacefully dozing in his arm-chair by 

 the fire. 



" Sep," she cried shrilly. The unfortunate gentleman 

 woke with so violent a start that he nearly fell out of 

 his chair. 



" Yes, my dear? " 



" I have it ! " 



" Have you, indeed ? " 



" We'll write to Dennison and say that while withholding 

 our consent for the time bein', we do not forbid his comin' to 

 the house. We will allow the young people to meet, on strict 

 condition that we're not to be taken to consent — not at present, 

 anyhow — and I shall ask him to come and dine with us 

 Christmas Day, and bring his friend, the Prince. Who 

 knows but what Penelly might change her mind and take 



