Phyllis and Ophelia 29 



— i.e. Phyllis — because the owners and jockeys of the two 

 most dangerous opponents were ' going for her ' ) was, 

 as it happened, run on the same day as the Aldersham 

 race, which Osborne would have won on Phyllis had all 

 gone well, but which it was arranged he was to lose on 

 the substituted Phyllis {jb.e. Ophelia). 



The completeness of the arrangement was derived 

 from the fact that Sharpe had sold to a man in the regi- 

 ment a chaser which would be quite good enough, under 

 ordinary circumstances, to win the Piegimental Challenge 

 Cup, and Sharpe was * on ' a hundred to nothing if it 

 won. The excellence of Osborne's mare had crept out, 

 however, and as soon as betting began on the race it was 

 sure to be favourite ; when, by backing the other and 

 laying against the supposititious Phyllis, something extra 

 might be made. The whole thing was delightfully plain 

 and simple, and no less safe. It was difficult to see how 

 a slip could occur, and the rogues chuckled to themselves 

 as they thought of their own cleverness and the lucky way 

 things had fallen out. 



Both went on well in their respective fashions. 

 Phyllis— the true Phyllis — improved greatly in her busi- 

 ness, and got better every day ; Ophelia looked the picture 

 of health and condition, but galloped as if her legs were 

 tied, and could never learn to get away from her jumps. 

 The day arrived when they were to be sent aw^ay, Phyllis 

 to France and Ophelia — to give the animals their right 

 names — to i^ldersham, for Osborne had decided to take 

 her in good time so that she might have a school over 

 the course. But just then a somewhat awkward event 

 happened. Soon after the horses had come in from 

 exercise a hack cantered up to the stable-door, and 

 Osborne dismounted. Dossie, who was preparing to 



