THE HAUGHTY SHIRE HUNT. 213 



laughter of those assembled on all sides of them, the luncheon 

 proceeded gaily. Ronald, presiding at the cold chicken, 

 thought he had never seen a prettier couple of girls than 

 those standing opposite him, Adela and Penelope, his former 

 and his present love. Which was the more beautiful of the 

 two he wondered, feeling that he could thoroughly sympa- 

 thise with the late Paris in his most embarrassing situation 

 when called upon, somewhat unfairly, to award the Ribston. 

 But these thoughts were quickly driven away by the incessant 

 demand for chicken, which he was called upon to supply. 

 Half-AiVay through luncheon Mrs. Binkie's cup of happiness 

 was indeed full, for no less a personage than the Duke himself 

 sauntered by (wondering where the deuce Adela could have 

 hidden herself), and catching sight of his fair one, raised his 

 hat, and at once came up to speak with Mrs. Binkie. Sep, 

 finding the honour quite too much for him, ignobly dodged 

 round the other side of the carriage, on pretence of going for 

 more champagne. 



"Ah, my dear Mrs. Binkie," exclaimed His Grace, in those 

 light and airy tones which always gave the idea that the 

 speaker was delighted to have found the person he was. 

 addressing, "Ah, my dear Mrs. Binkie, charmed to see you 

 are patronising our local meeting. How do, Dennison '? How 



do, Mistah — ah — ah " and here he came to a full stop, as 



he failed to remember the face of the fat young gentleman 

 staring at him from beneath the peak of a green silk racing 

 cap, and holding on his fork, suspended in the air, an immense 

 chunk of pigeon-pie. 



" My son, Your Grace, Travers Binkie," put in Madam. 

 "My son, that's just left Oxford," she said, with a touch of 



