150 ONLY THE MARE 



his intense astonishment ; while Heathfield and a 

 groom gave chase to, and ultimately captured his 

 friend, the watcher on the threshold. 



7^ ^ ^ 7^ ^ 



" If I'm well enough to do anything I'm well 

 enough to lie on the sofa ; and there's really no 

 difference between a sofa and an easy-chair — if my 

 foot is resting — and I'm sure the carriage is easier 

 than any chair ; and it can't matter about my foot 

 being an inch or two higher or lower — and as for 

 shaking, that's all nonsense. It's very unkind m- 

 deed of you not to want to take me ; and if you 

 won't, directly you've gone I'll get up, and walk 

 about, and sta7n]3 I " 



Thus Nelly, in answer to advice that she should 

 remain at home. How it ended may easily be 

 guessed ; and though we tried to be dignified, as 

 we drove along, to punish her for her wilfulness, 

 her pathetic little expressions of sorrow that she 

 should " fall down, and hurt herself, and be such a 

 trouble to everybody," and child-like assurances 

 that she would " not do it again," soon made us 

 smile, and forget our half-pretended displeasure. 

 So with the aunt to take care of her, in case Bertie 

 and I were insufficient, we reached the course. 



The first three races were run and then the card 

 said : — 



