194 The Best Fourteen-Hander in England. 



he should fancy that the Evening Star would prove of any use as 

 the second string to the fiddle which we were intending to play at 

 the next Hollerton races, why, then I would enter into a sort of 

 compromise with the young lady, and give her the mare with the 

 reservation that I should run her first for the cup, and, if she won 

 it, her value would be greatly enhanced. How beautifully and how 

 easily in life can we form projects for the future, and how rosy do 

 they appear till some unforeseen accident scatters them like chaff 

 before the wind. 



The Sunday came at last, a lovely morning, ushered in with that 

 calm, refreshing quiet which so peculiarly characterizes an 

 English Sabbath in the country. All nature seemed at peace. As 

 I opened my bedroom window, the loud carol of the thrush was 

 heard from a neighbouring spinny j the swallow flew backwards 

 and forwards from her nest, which was built over my very window ; 

 and the blackbirds were hopping upon the little grass-plot before 

 the house as if at least they feared no disturbers so early on so quiet 

 a morning. It was only a little after five, but I was soon dressed 

 and in the stable to see that every care was taken with the little 

 mare who was, perhaps, destined on that day to be the maker of 

 my future fortune. I meant to leave about eight, breakfast with 

 my old friend, whose house I must pass on the road, and then 

 canter on to Chunee Villa, about two miles distant, and arrive 

 there just in time for church. I never was a very " heavy swell " 

 at any time, bat this morning I got myself up with a little more 

 care than usual neat but not gaudy ; and as I knew my lady's 

 horsey propensities, I did not fancy that a new black "cutaway" 

 and a pair of tight-fitting drab trousers would offend her. I felt in 

 a very pleasant humour, and as I cantered away from my own gate 

 I was at ease with myself and the whole world and that is what 

 very few of us can say after the days of youth have once passed. 

 I rode up to my old friend's door ; he had spied the new nag from 

 the window, and he soon hopped out to welcome me. He was 

 delighted with the little mare, and very gratified to learn that I 

 had borne his instructions in mind, and was about to open the 



