I9& THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



up with the great Pottentate hmiself ? Might hke to become 

 a princess, you know." 



" What ! to a nigger ! " exclaimed Mr. Binkie, aghast, all 

 his insular notions rising in revolt at such a thought. 



"Indian princes are not niggers, Mr. Binkie," said the 

 lady reprovingly, "and would not thank you for calling 

 them such. I shall ask Dennison to come and bring his 

 friend;" and without more ado Mrs. Binkie walked over 

 to a Davenport standing in one of the window recesses, and 

 indited her note in a big, sprawling hand, asking for the 

 pleasure of Mr. Eonald Dennison's and friend's company at 

 dinner, on Christmas Day. 



Mrs. Binkie addressed the envelope, and looking up, said — 



" Of course, it'll be only an ong famille dinner. I've told 

 him that. I suppose princes don't mind ong famille dinners? 

 Anyhow, we must chance it." 



But Sep was again asleep, and her words simply lost them- 

 selves in space. 



When Mrs. Binkie conveyed the news of the invitation 

 given to Mr. Dennison for Christmas Day, Penelope's whole 

 manner changed as though by magic. Not only would she 

 have her lover at her side then, but she could not fail to see 

 that this was the * beginning of the end,' as far as serious 

 opposition went, to their ultimate marriage. Her heart 

 rejoiced therefore, and she was at no pains to conceal the 

 fact. 



Poor Travers had already written a temporising letter in 

 reply to the one from Sir Toodle. He had said that he 

 was far from well just at present — was, in fact, suffering 

 from shock (which was perfectly true), but that he would 



