THE END OF A LONG REIGN. 205 



killed on an average eighty -two brace of foxes 

 yearly. While he had been hunting six days 

 a- week, his best season's bag had been 109 brace, 

 and his next 102 brace. The whole of this he 

 owed to the preservation by the Blackmore Vale 

 farmers, for without their help he could not 

 possibly have shown the sport he had. 



As soon as the rounds of applause had died 

 away, Lady Theodora made a neat little speech 

 of thanks for herself and her daug-hter, and her 

 reception, when she came forward, was as hearty 

 as that already given to the Master. Both she 

 and her daughter, she said, regarded that day as a 

 record one in their lives, and they wished to give 

 their friends their heartiest thanks for the honour 

 they had done them. When Mr Guest had spoken 

 of his pleasure in destroying foxes, she had been 

 reminded of the look of stern determination which 

 generally marked his face on Wednesdays and 

 Saturdays. If her friends now present could have 

 seen that look, Lady Theodora was sure they 

 would have felt sorry for the fox. They would 

 also understand the Master's feelings when, after 

 a bad scenting day, he could not eat his dinner 

 because "that fox was still alive." That the 

 Master had fully appreciated the support he had 

 received from the tenant farmers of the country 

 she could assure them, for he had often spoken of 

 it to her. 



After Lady Theodora's words had been heartily 

 cheered, all the many visitors were invited to the 



