HUNTENGCROP HALL 273 



I ruefully dressed, lamenting that my will was 

 not a little stronger (nor were thoughts of my other 

 will — and testament — entirely absent), that I might 

 have fled from the trial, or done something to rescue 

 myself from the exposure which I felt must shortly 

 overwhelm me. The levity of the men in the 

 breakfast -room was a source of suffering to me, and 

 even Laura's voice jarred on my ears as she peti- 

 tioned her father to let her follow "just a little 

 way " — she was going to ride and see the hounds 

 " throw off," a ceremony which I devoutly hoped 

 would be confined to those animals — " because it 

 was too hard to turn back when the real enjoyment 

 commenced ; and she would be good in the pony- 

 carriage for the rest of the week." 



" No, no, my dear," replied the Major ; " women 

 are out of place in the hunting field. Don't you 

 think so, Mr Smoothley ? " 



" I do, indeed, Major," I answered, giving Laura's 

 little dog under the table a fearful kick as I threw 

 out my foot violently to straighten a crease which 

 was severely galling the inside of my left knee. 

 '' You had far better go for a quiet ride, Miss 

 Huntingcrop, and " — how sincerely I added — " I 

 shall be delighted to accompany you ; there will be 

 plenty of days for me to hunt when you drive to 

 the meet." 



