232 THE HAUGHTY SHIRE HUNT. 



" a thing which I have heen on the point of saying for 



a long time past." His Grace coughed, and Adela longed to 

 know whether she was looking at her best or not. 



The Duke edged himself a little nearer on the box-seat to 

 Adela, and then resumed speaking — 



" My son Gravity, who is the best, the very best of good 

 fellows, and of whom I am fonder than of anyone — that is, 

 of almost anyone, on earth, entertains curious ideas on the 

 .subject of marriage — er — that is, I should say, curious ideas 

 on the subject of »(?/ marriage, and — er — well, it has made my 



path rather a thorny one, whenever — er — I mean " (He 



was just slipping out " whenever I saw a pretty woman," 

 but fortunately checked himself in time.) "I should say, 

 that that consideration — er — Gravity's peculiar views on 

 marriage, you know— has hitherto acted as somewhat of a 

 hindrance to me in the choice of a second wife. But 

 dearly as I love him, I feel that if the matter were put 

 plainly before " 



" That was a real rippin' race for the cup, wasn't it, Dook, 

 eh?" drawled the voice of Captain Flaubert Fitz-Ass, of 

 the Eoyal Fire Guards Blue, from the ground just below the 

 box-seat. 



"It was, it was — er — d — n you!" {sotto voce). " I never 

 saw a greater ass — a greater race, I mean." 



"Yes, and the way they came over that last fence, too; 

 well, I felt all over like " 



" Ah, you want a glass of champagne, I'm sure," inter- 

 rupted His Grace hastily. "Now do go round to the table, 

 just at the back of the coach, and you'll find everything there. 

 Tell Parker — you'll find him somewhere about," and the bore 



