270 HUNTINGCROP HALL 



advent of the Major, who heard the tag end of my 

 panegyric with manifest delight. 



" Huntingcrop is the place for you, Mr Smooth- 

 ley," said he, with enthusiasm, " and I shall be more 

 than pleased to see you there. I think, too, we 

 shall be able to show you some of your favourite 

 sport this season. We meet four days a week, and 

 you may reckon on at least one day with the Grass- 

 mere. It is always a sincere pleasure to me to find 

 a young fellow whose heart is in it." 



As regards my heart, it was in my boots at the 

 prospect ; and, despite the great temptation of 

 Laura's presence, I paused, carefully to consider the 

 2yj'os and cons before accepting. 



How pleasant to see her fresh face every morning 

 at the breakfast-table — how unpleasant to see a 

 horse — most likely painfully fresh also — waiting to 

 bear me on a fearsome journey as soon as the meal 

 was concluded ! How delightful to feel the soft 

 pressure of her fingers as she gave me morning 

 greeting : how awful to feel my own fingers numbed 

 and stiff with tugging at the bridle of a wild, 

 tearing, unmanageable steed ! How enjoyable 

 to 



" Are you engaged for Christmas, Mr Smooth- 

 ley ? " Laura inquired, and that query settled me. 

 It might freeze — I could sprain my ankle, or knock 



