CHAPTER XVII. 



THE JOHX O' GAUNT GALLOP. 



^^Jl^^HAT gallop from John o' Gaunt of Friday, 

 ^S'^ February 1st, would seem to have rivalled 

 .Jl]^ anything in the great score of the Quorn, for 

 Mr. Coupland's marvellous — but alas, final — season. 

 At the meet at Quenby that morning it was made known 

 that the Master who has ruled our country so deftly, 

 and given us an unbroken succession of sport for four- 

 teen years, had determined on resigning office. Severely 

 as the loss will be felt, the country cannot look upon it 

 as unexpected ; for the last two or three years of his 

 Mastership have been continued in deference to the 

 strong feeling of the country rather than in obedience 

 to liis o\Yn wish and convenience. But no one else 

 seemed to be forthcoming who could aptly handle the 

 reins ; and so, rather than the Hunt should suffer, Mr. 

 Coupland consented to retain them. The Quorn country 

 is one that, apart from all monetary considerations ("which, 

 perhaps, have had their weight here as everywhere else), 

 demands a ruler possessed of more than an ordinary 

 share of tact, business-like liabits, and a knowledge of 



men. Its visitors give little trouble of themselves — or 



M 2 



