AFTER THE RACE. 



3°9 



could improve his condition, though some might, and 

 I have no doubt did, think he looked a little light : 

 and the same opinion was held against mine. But the 

 result justified the means adopted, and after a severe 

 pace all the way to the bushes, where the field was 

 tailed off, Lord of the Isles lying half a length 

 behind St. Hubert, and a neck behind Kingstown, 

 they raced in this order down the hill and across the 

 Abingdon mile bottom to the rise at the finish, when 

 Lord of the Isles gradually crept up and won a most 

 exciting race by a neck, three lengths between second 

 and third. 



Mr. Hill's face, not at any time having the mbst 

 pleasing expression, now looked unutterable things. 

 He stood pale and motionless, musing over the event. 

 Probably his appearance on this occasion gave rise to 

 his subsequently being alluded to in the sporting 

 papers, as ' Mr. Henry Unwell.' Mr. Padwick, on 

 the other hand, bore his defeat with equanimity. He 

 had a good horse, well ridden, but unfortunately it 

 met a better. He consoled himself, doubtless, with 

 the thought of the high pressure that would be put 

 on visitors for accommodation at Hill Street on the 

 Monday following, in order to recoup himself his 

 losses; pocketing the disappointment and allowing 

 the whole business to be buried in oblivion, as a true 

 philosopher should do. Mr. Merry viewed the 

 exciting scene, though secretly in rapture at the 

 victory, with a dignified air worthy of himself. It 



