18 A CLUB-EOOM. 



brook ; no one could question the quickness and light- 

 ness of the finger in a difficulty ; no one could doubt 

 the pluck — that truly English quality — with which he 

 resumed his seat after the most weltering fall, and 

 crammed, without flinching or craning, his half-blown 

 beast at the next bullfinch. 



In a short time, too, the one obnoxious thing, the 

 seat and style were altered. The count was too thor- 

 ough a horseman not to perceive and adopt at once the 

 superiority of the English jockey seat over the dra- 

 goon — or continental — style, whether in a race over 

 the flats or in getting across a country. 



Before his first season was complete, his bent knee, 

 home foot in the stirrup, and low bridle-hand were as 

 correct, as his pluck and daring had from the first been 

 undeniable. The count had ridden, booted and spur- 

 red, in jockey-tops and white leathers, into the most 

 intimate afi'ections of the sporting aristocracy of Eng- 

 land. 



Loud, therefore, was the burst of affectionate greet- 

 ing, from young and old, dandy or country gentleman, 

 that greeted Matuschevitz as he made his entree into 

 the club-room, expected indeed, but greeted as if unex- 

 pected, and at once the observed of all observers. 



" So you have come at last, count. We had almost 

 given you up, but better late than never," exclaimed 

 one. 



" Deuced well mounted though, now that you have 

 come," cried another. 



" Yes, indeed, they came in ten days ago," said Jem 

 McDonald ; " Alick and I went down to look at them 

 last Sunday. Your fellow, Martindale, is getting fa- 

 mously forward with them." 



" You're too late, Matuschevitz, for the best thing 

 we're like to have this season. One day too late," 

 said Valentine Magher. " Only this morning. From 

 the gorse above Turlangton, into the vale, across the 



