LUCY GLITTERS. 69 



Ave not only returned to our old relationship, but were closer 

 and better friends than ever. Sir John was, of course, 

 terribly angry ior a time; but he, too, came round, and as 

 the eventful da}^ of the Steeplechases drew near, my hopes, 

 both of winning the Cup and a wife, mounted high. But 

 win or lose the Cup, I had made up my mind to put the 

 momentous question at the ball that Sir John was giving at 

 the Towers the night of the races. 



" Dry work, this yarning ? I must have a drink before I 

 go on again. Fill up yourself and drink to the memory of 

 Lucy Glitters. 



" The great day, the day that was to be the pivot of my 

 future life, arrived at last, but I can tell you little or nothing 

 of what occurred before the race for the Cup, as I seemed to 

 be like one in a dream. Lucy Glitters was walking about in 

 a remote corner of the paddock, looking as evil — yet as fit — 

 as could be. All the old associations of the racecourse 

 seemed to have crowded back in her mind, and she looked 

 just as she did at the time I bought her. Maltby, however, 

 was certain of success. 



" ' Just you sit as still as a mouse and leave it to her, sir. 

 Shell pull you through, never fear. There's nothing so fit on 

 the course to-day, and not one of them can touch her for 

 galloping and jumping if she will only try.' 



" If she will only try. Ah ! that was the question. My 

 fidus Achates, Charlie Mortimer, was just as sanguine; said 

 he had backed her for all he was Avorth, and even Sir John 

 had wished me good luck, and told me the mare carried his 

 modest investment. He Avas in capital spirits, having dis- 

 covered that morning that my uncle in Brookshire, whose 

 heir I was, turned out to be the Lindock Marchmont who was 

 his bosom friend at Harrow and Cambridge. Mabel seemed 

 a little pale and anxious ; it was a Avarm pressure of the hand 

 that I received on leaving her father's drag for the paddock, 



