274 HUNTINGCROP HALL 



" 'No, no, Smootliley. It's very kind of you to 

 propose it, but I won't have you sacrificing your 

 day's pleasure," the Major made answer, dashing the 

 crumbs of hope from my hungering lips. " You 

 may go a little way, Laura, if you'll promise to stay 

 with Sir William, and do all that he tells you. 

 You won't mind looking after her, Heathertopper ? " 



Old Sir William's build would have forbidden 

 the supposition that he was in any way given to 

 activity, even if the stolidity of his countenance 

 had not assured you that caution was in the habit 

 of marking his guarded way ; and he made suitable 

 response. I was just debating internally as to the 

 least circuitous mode by which I could send myself 

 a telegram, requiring my immediate presence in 

 town, when a sound of hoofs informed us that the 

 horses were approaching ; and gazing anxiously 

 from the window before me, which overlooked 

 the drive in front of the house, I noted their 

 arrival. 



Now the horse is an animal whicli I have always 

 been taught to admire. A " noble animal " he is 

 termed by zoologists, and I am perfectly willing to 

 admit his nobility when he conducts himself with 

 reticence and moderation ; but when he gyrates 

 like a teetotum on his hind legs, and wildly spars 

 at the groom he ought to respect, I cease to recog- 



