244 SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIELD. 



" And he's gone ? " I ask, my feelings not permitting 

 me to say more. 



*' Yes. He only just came to choose between a couple 

 of houses for his people this winter. I'm glad they're 

 coming. He's off to England straight," Flutterton 

 remarks. 



Then I tell him my story; how I have been in hot 

 pursuit since IMonday evening, and now it is Friday 

 morning ; and I detail all the circumstances connected 

 with the miserable Muffin Boy and my ;^ 500. 



"What a lark!" he says, laughing heartily; and I 

 don't like it. 



" It may strike you as being extremely funny, but I 

 can't see the humour of being dragged to all parts of 

 Europe for the sake of finding that I'm sold when I get 

 there," I observe somewhat severely. 



" Yes, I know, my dear fellow, it is a bore, and I'm 

 really very sorry; but it is so jolly absurd!" and he 

 tries unsuccessfully to repress a chuckle. " However," 

 he continues, "you can't go till the evening, so you'd 

 better come and dine with us. We've got a house, you 

 know, and Leonard stayed with us last night." 



This accounted for my fruitless search through the 

 hotels, then ; but I forgave Flutterton for his want of 

 sympathy, and was led off to pass the rest of the day 

 with his mother and sisters, though I was in too great a 

 state of excitement and irritation to thoroughly appre- 

 ciate their amiable kindness ; and by as early a train as 

 possible I set off again on my chase. From Nice to 



