ONLY THE MARE. 221 



a most coquettish-looking hat, and the smallest and 

 neatest possible pair of Balmoral boots, which in their 

 efforts to appear strong and sturdy only made their 

 extreme delicacy more decided. 



" Come, sleepy boy ! " said she, holding out a grey- 

 gloved hand. I rose submissively, and followed her out 

 of the snug drawing-room to the open air. 



Bertie was outside, smoking. 



" We are going to meet the aunt, dear," explained 

 Nellie. " I'm afraid she'll be cross, because it's so 

 cold." 



" She's not quite so inconsequent as that, I should 

 fancy ; but it is cold, and isn't the ground hard ! " I said. 



'* It is hard ! " cried Bertie, stamping vigorously. 

 '' By Jove ! I hope it's not going to freeze ! " and afflicted 

 by the notion — for a hard frost would have rendered it 

 necessary to postpone the races — he hurried off to the 

 stables, to consult one of the men who was weather- 

 wise. 



Some stone steps led from the terrace in front of the 

 house to the lawn ; at either end of the top-step was a 

 large globe of stone, and on to one of these thoughtless 

 little Nellie climbed. I stretched out my hand, fearing 

 that the weather had made it slippery, but before I could 

 reach her she slipped and fell. 



" You rash little creature ! " I said, expecting that she 

 would spring up lightly. 



" Oh ! my foot ! " she moaned ; and gave a little 

 shriek of pain as she put it to the ground. 



