8o SKETCHES IX THE HUNTING EIEID. 



Firefly, after a hard struggle, had been beaten half a 

 length. Thus it comes to pass that Tourneymeade has 

 usually found it necessary to augment his stud as the 

 season progressed, and that, in spite of the uncomplain- 

 ing manner in which he pays the huge bills so ingeni- 

 ously concocted by Mr. Plaits — about as big a rascal as 

 may be found in the three kingdoms — horses do not 

 thrive in his stable, and very rarely fetch half the 

 money he gave for them. 



But scant justice would be done to Tourneymeade's 

 get-up by simply saying that it is invariably irre- 

 proachable. 



The baronial legs, from a critical point of view, might 

 be called attenuated it one judged by a masculine 

 standard; but it is not sinew and muscle that the boot 

 and breeches makers want, and these professors find 

 scope for their highest efforts in Lord Tourneymeade. 

 Hat, neck-cloth, the neat little bow which fits in just 

 above his well-cleaned tops, are all the quintessence ot 

 " form ; " and however Plaits may rob his master, there 

 can be no question as to the manner in which he turns 

 out his horses. 



A boy from the Tourneymeade stables is as sure to 

 understand his business as he is to understand the 

 tricks of the trade and to rob his master ; for Plaits has 

 the communistic view of equality, that so long as he has 

 the lion's share without interference, those who can may 

 pick up the bones. 



What Tourneymeade wants is a wife, and he was very 



