2i8 THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



down to the first fence. Then you won't get in anybody's 

 way, and you won't get knocked over." 



" Oh, really ! but do you think there's any fear of getting — 

 getting knocked over ? It seems rather dangerous, you know, 

 don't it?" 



Ronald laughed drily. 



" Steeplechase riding is not supposed to be the sport for 

 infants and invalids, Binkie. But if you'll take my advice, I 

 think you won't come to any harm." 



Ronald walked away to the far side of the paddock, got a leg 

 up on to Marmion — who looked quite the gentleman of the 

 party, his chestnut coat shining like burnished copper — and 

 walked him quietly over to the Stand side. Here he waited for 

 the rest, just keeping his horse gently on the move. Binkie 

 soon joined him, and a few minutes later the whole of the 

 fourteen candidates were slowly filing out of the gate. 



Lucretia put up her lorgnettes, and gazed long and fixedly 

 at her future lord. With his cap tilted up on the crown of 

 his head, his fat little round legs, and a considerable portion 

 of his anatomy very insufficiently accommodated on the small 

 seven-pound saddle, Binkie presented a somewhat curious 

 spectacle. 



The lady, after running him over from top to toe, dropped 

 her glasses, and, turning with a severe, if not disdainful air 

 to Mrs. Binkie, said — 



" I don't think Travers is adapted for steeplechase riding ; 

 the — er — er — the dress, is both unbecoming and insufficient. 

 Why don't they wear tail coats '? " 



" Yes," answered Mrs. Binkie uncompromisingly, " the 

 joint's too big for the dish, ain't it ? " 



