2o8 SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIEID. 



" Well, Straightley, we must do our best, that's all ! " 

 Beauclerc said, as he left his trainer's side rather 

 hastily; for he did not want to be told that if Achates 

 stood up, Lady May had no chance ; he knew that, but 

 he was more hurt at the duplicity of his friend than at 

 the almost certain loss that was coming upon him. 



Evelyn had left Carryl, and professed his inability to 

 come to the races ; but still Beauclerc was not much 

 surprised, when he had walked about fifty yards, to see 

 his treacherous friend approaching him behind the line 

 of carriages drawn up by the rails. 



*' I've been looking for you everywhere. Beau ! You 

 see, I got away after all ! " Dick said. 



" So I perceive, Mr. Evelyn ; and now I wish you a 

 good morning, sir," Beauclerc answered, turning round. 



Dick seemed a good bit astonished, and stood gazing 

 vaguely, for a moment. He evidently had not expected 

 this cut, and appeared quite unable to make it out : but, 

 checking an impulse to use strong language, he fol- 

 lowed Beauclerc ; who responded to a tap on the 

 shoulder by a contemptuous, rather than an angry 

 stare. 



*' Lord Beauclerc, we've been friends for a good many 

 years, and we parted friends when I left Carryl last 

 week. You know enough of me to be sure that I don't 

 want to force my society on any one ; but all the same, 

 I can't help thinking from your manner that you are 

 labouring under a delusion of some kind, and I should 

 like to put it right." 



