200 THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



Jack Dashwood and Sir Tommy, together with the Binkie 

 family, made up the dinner-party. Sep had, on more than 

 one occasion, asked Travers when he thought his two limpet- 

 like friends were going to terminate their visit to The Chase, 

 but had been quite unable to obtain the slightest information 

 on the subject. They seemed to be permanently rooted to the 

 soil — fixtures of the house, in fact. 



During the whole of dinner Mrs. Binkie laid herself out to 

 the congenial task of cold-shouldering Konald in favour of 

 Eonald's dusky friend, who, she found, spoke the Queen's 

 English a great deal better than she did herself. 



After the distinguished guest had said that he liked every- 

 thing in England except its terrible climate, his hostess took 

 up the running : "And you really like England better than 

 India ; do you now, indeed? Ah, well, I don't wonder at it, 

 I'm sure. I think it shows your good taste. And English 

 institutions and customs, too ? You like them better than the 

 Eastern ones ? Such, for instance, as only having one wife. 

 You approve of that, Prince ? " 



His Highness bowed smilingly. "Certainly I do," he 

 replied. 



Mrs. Binkie shot a malicious glance in the direction of 

 Eonald, who was saying something to Penelope. 



"And do you approve of Indian gentlemen marrying 

 EngHsh ladies ? " 



" Why not? We are all subjects of the Queen. I person- 

 ally am particularly favourable to such marriages " Here 



Mrs. Binkie, as she saw the Prince's eye wander down the 

 table till it rested on Penelope's beautiful face, glowed with 

 the triumph of a possible near victory. ' My daughter, the 



