196 SKETCHES IN THE HUXTIXG FIELD. 



It might have been in his opinion ; in mine it was 

 simply an act of unconscious insanity, which I had 

 rather die than intentionally repeat. 



" I didn't see you all the time, Mr. Smoothley ; where 

 were you ? " Laura asked. 



*' Where was he r " cried the Major. "Not following 

 you, my dear. He took his own line, and, by Jove ! it 

 was a right one ! " 



It was not in these terms that I had expected to hear 

 the Major addressing me, and it was rather bewildering. 

 Still I trust that I was not puffed up with an unseemly 

 vanity as Laura rode back by my side. She looked lovely 

 with the flush of exercise on her cheek, and the sparkle 

 of excitement in her eyes ; and as we passed home- 

 wards through the quiet country lanes I forgot the pain- 

 ful creases that were afflicting me, and with as much 

 eloquence as was compatible with the motion of my 

 steed — I ventured ! 



The blushes deepen on her cheek. She consents on 

 one condition : I must give up hunting. 



" You are so rash and daring," she says, softly — very 

 softly, " that I should never be happy when you were 

 out." 



Can I refuse her anything — even tJiis ? Impossible ! 



I promise : vowing fervently to myself to keep my 

 word ; and on no account do anything to increase the 

 reputation I made at Huntingcrop Hall, 



