CHAPTER XVII. 



AT CUPID S SHKINE. 



" Well," exclaimed the Duke to Miss Comely, seated 

 beside liim on the box of his coach, " I never wish to see 

 a better finish for a race than that — nor better riding either," 

 he added. " They say ' the end justifies the means,' but 

 certainly the way Eonald chanced that last fence was a 

 sight calculated to make one's hair stand on end. It won 

 him his race, though." 



Adela was a little pale. Although no longer in that state 

 which we describe as being ' in love ' with Eonald, she 

 was yet very fond of him as a friend, and his reckless act 

 had given her a bad fright. However, the danger was over 

 now, and all was well. The colour began to return to her 

 cheeks, and she was able, in answer to the Duke, to make 

 some light reply. 



" You permit me to light a cigar, my dear Miss Comely? 

 Thanks. Ah, I really must be getting an old man now ; it 

 is — er — ah — 'm — well, a very long time ago now, since I 

 rode my last steeplechase. I remember it, though, as if it 

 were yesterday. It was in the Yale of Aylesbury, and I won 

 on Mameluke. Jolly days those were, to be sure, and the 



fun we used to have after the dinner at the Ah, well, 



never mind, I won't bore you with ' man ' stories." 



