THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 331 



diminished at all events, the estimation of it lessened 

 by that description of persons. But nothing in the shape 

 of a race-meeting could have been more delightful than 

 Bibury was at the time in which our hero became a 

 member of the club, composed, as it was, of the first 

 sporting aristocracy of the day, with the heir-apparent to 

 the crown at the head of them, on his cropped roan hack, 

 with merely a pad groom behind him, with his surtout 

 strapped to his back, and discoursing with his associates in 

 all the affability of a private gentleman. And a striking 

 instance of this occurred, as regarded the hero of our tale. 



" Introduce Mr. Raby to me," said his Royal Highness 

 to Lord Solville, as he saw him approaching him on the 

 course ; " he is a fine young man, and I am glad that you 

 have got him into the club." 



The introduction took place on the spot, and the Prince 

 thus expressed himself, in his usual elegantly familiar 

 style, upon this occasion : J 



" Well, Mr. Raby, you have made your debut very much 

 to your satisfaction, and I must tell you, to mine. In the 

 first place, I am glad that you have become a member of 

 Bibury ; and, in the next, your trainer gave me the Welter 

 by a false estimate of your horse. You would have beaten 

 me if you had not waited on your horses. However, a 

 jockey should obey orders, you know, Mr. Raby, unless 

 he finds a very good reason for disregarding them. Lilly 

 is a clever fellow, but he certainly made a mistake, which 

 you have great credit for correcting, and entirely on your 

 own judgment. You will be a match for us all in a very 

 short time. And how is your excellent mother ? I knew 

 Lady Charlotte Raby well, in early days, and once danced 

 a minuet with her. Pray tell her I inquired after her." 



" You do her great honour, sir," replied Raby ; " I shall 

 carefully obey your Royal Highness's commands." 



" So you are going to make a .hunter of Nameless," 

 continued the Prince. 



" I am, sir," answered our hero. 



"And a good hunter he will make," said the Prince, 

 " with so good a horseman on his back." 



Our hero bowed, and the Prince moved on. 



1 There is every reason to believe that the week passed by the 

 Prince, during Bibury meeting, when he felt himself thoroughly 

 divested of the shackles of state and royalty, was to him the 

 pleasantest of the whole year. 



