74 TALES OF PINK AND SILK. 



" Nothing, though I caused every inquiry to be made. Do 

 you know, Cis, 1 used to think he was rather fond " 



" Oh, here we are at last," breaks in Lady Winifred, " and 

 all the dear old familiar faces. How are you. Captain 

 Hampton ? Good morning, Mary ! Got a new hunter, I see, 

 lucky girl ! " 



The two are soon divested of their wraps and mounted on 

 their favourite hunters, Lord Healingborough riding a good- 

 looking weight-carrying bay, while his sister is carried by a 

 thoroughbred chesnut mare, the model of a lady's hunter. 



"Good morning. Lord Healingborough," drawls a voice 

 behind him, " May I — ar — be presented ? " 



" Oh, good morning, Beverley. Winifred, this is our new 

 Master. Lady Winifred Hainton — Mr. Robert Beverley." 



" Delighted to meet Lady Winifred, I am sure, and to see 

 her following my hounds. Look well, don't they ? " to Lord 

 Healingborough, " but shall have a more level pack next year, 

 don't you know." 



" Going to draw Rapsley Gorse, as usual, Beverley ? " 



" No, not this morning ; we are going to try Tom-tit wood 

 first." 



" What ! Not draw Rapsley, Mr. Beverley ? " sa3^s Lady 

 Winifred. " Why, that has been a standing dish on the 

 opening day for years." 



" Don't like Rapsley. Beastly thick covert, don't you know ; 

 hounds can't get their fox away. Must have a quick find and 

 a good gallop on the opening day, don't you know. Time to 

 be moving off, so good-bye for the present. Show you some 

 good sport, I hope. Lady Winifred." 



" No, he doesn't like Rapsley," said Lord Healingborough, 

 " as he is so horribly afraid of getting scratched in covert, and 

 the foxes generally go over the Vale ; two big a country to 

 suit his fancy. Well, what do you think of Tom Beverley's 

 cousin ? " 



