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many pros and cons in the matter of the chase. A man may think 

 — especially in these hard times, with "wheat below forty," as Mr. 

 Springwheat would say — that it will be as much as he can do to 

 mount himself. Again, he may not think a lady looks any better 

 for running down with perspiration, and being daubed with mud. 

 Above all, if he belongs to the worshipful company of Craners, he 

 may not like for his wife to be seen beating him across country. 



Still, there are many ways that young ladies may insinuate them- 

 selves into the good graces of sportsmen without following them into 

 the hunting-field. Talking about their horses, above all admiring 

 them, — taking an interest in their sport, — seeing that they have nice 

 papers of sandwiches to take out with them,- — or recommending them 

 to be bled when they come home with dirty faces after falls. 



Miss Amelia Jawleyford, who was most elegantly attired in a sea- 

 green silk dress with large imitation pearl buttons, claiming the usual 

 privilege of seniority of birth, very soon led the charge against Lord* 

 Scamperdale. 



" Oh, what a lovely horse that is you were riding," observed she, 

 as his lordship kept stooping with both his little red fists close into 

 the bars of the grate. 



" Isn't it ! " exclaimed he, rubbing his hands heartily together. 

 " Isn't it ! " repeated he ; adding, " That's what I call a clipper." 



" Why do you call it so ? " asked she. 



"Oh, I don't mean that clipper is its name," replied he; "in- 

 deed, we call her Cherry Bounce in the stable, — but she's what they 

 call a clipper — a good 'un to go, you know," continued he, staring at 

 the fair speaker through his great, formidable spectacles. 



"We believe there is nothing frightens a woman so much as staring 

 at her through spectacles. A barrister in barnacles is a far more 

 formidable cross-examiner than one without. But, to his lordship's 

 hack. 



" AY ill he eat bread out of your hand ? " asked Amelia ; adding, 

 " I should so like a horse that would eat bread out of my hand." 



" Oh, yes ; or cheese either," replied his lordship, who was a bit 

 of a wag, and as likely to try a horse with one as the other. 



" Oh, how delightful ! what a charming horse ! " exclaimed 

 Amelia, turning her fine eyes up to the ceiling. 



" Are you fond of horses ? " asked his lordship, smacking one 

 hand against the other, making a noise like the report of a pistol. 



u Oh, so fond ! " exclaimed Amelia, with a start ; for she hadn't 

 got through her favourite, and, as she thought, most attractive atti- 

 tude. 



" Well, now, that's nice" said his lordship, giving his other hand 

 a similar bang ; adding, " I like a woman that's fond of horses." 



" Then 'Melia and you'll 'gree nicely," observed Mrs. Jawleyford, 



