A FAST RUN AND A DOUBLE KILL. A TALE OF THE FIELD AND DRAWING-ROOM

North Otago Times, Volume V, Issue 80, 31 August 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

A FAST RUN AND A DOUBLE KILL. A TALE OF THE FIELD AND DRAWING-ROOM

(From the " London Society.") [CONTINUED.] Isaac and I parted with the understanding that he was to gather ail necessary information concerning " the ways " of Skylark ; and I hastened back to the diawing-room. That very long half-hour after dinner is always a good opportunity for testing the respective merits and demerits of women, as they staud in relation to each other. A woman may be charming to a man — and l-epelling to one of her own sex. Some ill-natured people, indeed, 'say that one is a necessary consequence of the other ; but of course I don't agree to that j l iere «,y — at any rate there are happy exceptions, who are fascinating alike to men, women, and children. I don't think Mrs Singleton eared to belong to this class. Certainly in the society of her own sex she seemed to collapse into a graceful muteness— only opening her pretty lips at intervals, to give utterance to some remark the reverse of goodnatured. Between her and the tall Miss Vere there was evidently no love lost. The latter was one of those imperial kind of people, who never condescend to any feeling so inferior as spite, but who repay it with interest in a more straightforward manner. Her good-natured pretty little sister laughed away the effects of Miss Vere's uncompromising retorts to the treacherous purrings of Mrs Singleton, who -would say the sharpest things with the most innocent smile on her childish face. I liked the Veres ; but there was a charming Mrs Forbes of the party, to whom I felt even more attached. She was a bright, joyous, loveablelookins: woman, with a piquancy in her manner and tone of voice, and a -kind, frank way of speaking, which was very taking. There was a slight dash of independence in everything she said and did, accompanied by the most perfect tact ; and the result of this happy combination was the power of always saying the right thing at the right time — not the prompting of diplomatic motives, but a welling up from the productive sources of a well-bred nature and a kind heart. We soon become better acquainted ; and by the time the gentlemen came in from their wine, we were rapidly progressing into a declared friendship. She told me the names of the people I did not know. " That is my husband, my dear," she said, in reply to my inquiry who a very tall, elderly, distinguishedlooking gentleman was. " I was engaged to him, I believe, when I was ten years old, and he did mo the honor to wait for me until I was eighteen. We have been married ten years ; and I have never repented that step, although there .is a difference of five-aud-twenty years between us. I should not have done as the wife of a young man — I'm too fond of having my own wav. That man talking to General Forbes is Sir Hugh Stracey. Ah ! he is a nice fellow — and I can tell you he passed some very complimentary remarks on a certain young lady sitting opposite to us at dinner. By the way, ho said he knew your broth 3i' very well-; — you have a brother in the Guards, haven't you? Sir Hugh was in them, in. the Crimea, but he has left the army now." As she spoke, the same man whom I had

observed talking to Mrs Singleton before dinner, came up to us. " Now I know you are talking scandal, Mrs Forbes ; so I am come to put a stop to it. Perhaps you will kindly introduce me to Miss Vavasour." " I was just abusing you, Sir Hugh," returned Mrs Forbes, laughing ; " so you must make your complaints to Miss Vavasour, and try to redeem your character. Allow me, my dear, to introduce you to Sir Hugh Stracey." And as she went away to talk to some one else, Sir Hugh took possession of her vacant seat. " I should have known you anywhere, Miss Vavasour," he said, " from your likeness to my friend Jack. Has that perfidious fellow never mentioned my name to you ? — We are old cronies." ' ' Oh yes, often," I replied. And indeed I was well aware that Sir Hugh Stracey had helped Jack out of one or two scrapes, when, had it not been for this friend in need, of whom poor Jack had spoken in warmest terms of gratitude, more serious results might have ensued. " Jack, of course, is many years my junior ; but that didn't prevent our being fast friends. I have not caught sight of him for the last two years." Sir Hugh was one of those people who have an easy, pleasant way of talking, which smooths away all the usual tiresome preliminaries of making acquaintance ; and in a very short time — thanks in a measure to Jack, who had been our starting-point — I found myself conversing as unrestrainedly as if I had known him for years. He seemed to know all about my belongings ; even Aunt Tabitha was an oM acquaintance, by reputation. That wicked Jack must have let him into no end of family secrets ! " What was it you and Karr were discussing at dinner, Miss Vavasour ?" asked Sir Hugh, presently. " You looked quite excited about something, and Karr appeared more animated than usual ; which is all the more wonderful, as he is said to have made a rule of never talking to young ladies — afraid of them, I believe." " It is a pity, then, that he thought fit to transgress his rule to night," I replied, growing hot again at the recollection of the dinner. " Why ?" asked Sir Hugh. " Because the experiment was an unsuccessful one. Don't, please, talk about Lord Edward Karr. In the first place, I don't like him ; and secondly, as I really scarcely know him, I might be unfair." " You are very just, Miss Vavasour, at any rate ; but I should like to know why you don't like him — do tell me." " I think he is very cool, and very conceited." " But I thought all women rather liked conceit in a man sometimes." " Do they ? Well, perhaps I have not mixed enough in the world to acquire that taste." " Karr is, they say, very popular in general. At all events you will allow that ho is a goodlooking fellow — and good looks carry some weight, don't they." " Very possibly ; but I don't admire Lord Edward's good looks — they are too effeminate." " Poor Karr ! his effeminacy ends there. I must say that in common justice to him, Miss Vavasour, there was no more daring rider in the charge of Balaklava than K arr » "Did he ride at Balaklava?" I asked, struck with an involuntary respect when I heard this. "Ah! I see you confess to hero-worship' like all women," observed Sir Hugh, laughing, "You will like Karr better after that, and forgive him his conceit." "No," I answered resolutely. "I hate conceit ; but I do think better cl him in that one respect you mention — for I admire courage and daring ; and I am glad to find that Lord Edward Karr can do something better than " "Than what? Do go on with what you were going to say," said Sir Hugh, as I checked myself, not feeling inclined to repeat the conversation which had offended me. "You won't tell me — ah! I snail find out then. Karr musfc have done something very flagrant, for I am certain you are a very indulgent person, Miss Vavasour." " Not when I am offended," I replied, laughing ; " so I warn you not to try." " I want you to come and play a round game," said the pleading voice of Mrs Singleton, as she glided up to Sir Hugh. " Come and bank with me." " Not for worlds, Mm Singleton, I hate all round game3 : and not even the alluring prospect of banking with you can tempt me ; although I feel sure it would lead me on to fortune. You must not ask Miss Vavasour — she never plays cards on principle, and hates them as much as I do." The same smile which had before offended me crossed Mrs Singleton's face. " I am rejoiced to find that your tastes agree so well," she retorted, as she moved away. I passed a very pleasant evening, and a? I went to my room, I thought how glad Jack would be to hear that I had met his friend Sir Hugh Stracey. It was a bright November morning. The mists rolled away under the influence of the brilliant sunshine ; and when I opened my window, the sweet air came into the room

sharpened by the slight white frost, which still lingered on the broad surface.of the park. I have often heard Jack say that such a morning, with anticipation of ** good scent," a first-rate hqrse,' u arid " a crack pack of hounds," were sufficient to make a man wish that " this world would last for eyer." Now all these advantages were mine ; but an un-der-current of very mixed feelings debarred from appreciating them as keenly as Jack would have done. Not many of the party were assembled when I entered the breakfast-room. Lord Copplestone made me take my old place by ! him. " They meet at Harleigh Brake, Nelly," he said. " Skylark's in prime condition. What would Aunt Tabitha say ? Shan't I catch it when I come to you next week?" and the jolly old man rubbed his hands in mischievous delight at the prospect of " getting a rise," as he called it, out of Aunt Tabitha. Sundry gentlemen in red coats, from the neighboring country-houses, dropped in ere bi'eakfast was over, on their way to cover. The Miss Veres, and many of the ladies of the party, were going to see as much fun as possible from the carriages, Mrs Singleton ! and myself being the only two who were going to ride. i " And so you are going to ride to the meet ?" observed my little tormentor who sat opposite to me. I looked steadily at her. " Not only to the meet, I hope, Mrs Singleton." Lord Copplestone smiled with a sly significance. " Why, to be sm-e/if Nelly was only going to the meet, there would be no use in her riding Skylark." "Skylark!" echoed Mrs Singleton. "Do you mean to say, Miss Vavasour, that you are venturesome enough to ride that hunter ? I hope you have insured your life." "No, I haye not. I am not nervous — are you." Mrs Singleton colored angrily at the question. "Certainly not. j .In my case it would be different ; but I should think that it required an experienced hand for the attempt you are rash enough to undertake." Her manner was coolly imtatiug ; but I thought it better to drop the subject. I could not conceal from myself that there was in reality a great amount of reason in what she said ; and I could only hope that the results would not corroborate her words. By ten o'clock we were all ready to start. Mrs. Singleton was mounted when I came down to the entrance. I ran my eye jealously over the brown mare she rode- — perfect in all her proportions, but not more perfect than the firm seat and graceful figure of her mistress. Lord Edward Karr was lazily drawing on his gloves, whilst his groom was leading up and down a handsome bay horse with white stockings. Mr Thornhill, I must allow, looked more at home on a well-bred grey mare than he did in the drawing-room. I looked anxious for Skylark. There he was — I had no difficulty in. recognising him. He was a very powerful thoroughbred chesnut. I don't pretend to being equal to the task of giving a faithful description of his rare proportions, showing no end of sinew, for the benefit of abler judges than myself. I might do Skylark a grievous injustice by attempting to pourtray all those qualities which combined to make him the magnificent-looking animal he was. His small ears pointing daggerwise, and his fidgetty movements under the groom's restraining hands gave strong signs of an impatience to to be off. " Goodness !" I thought, " I only hope I may manage to keep on." Sir Hugh Stracey was on a very fine dark chestnut ; but when I came down the steps he dismounted, and gave his horse to a groom. ''Allow me to mount you, Miss Vavasour," he said. " Hb's a splendid-looking fellow you are going to ride." He did not make any doubting or uncomplimentary addition, after the fashion of Lord Edward Karr ;i but yet I saw a look of anxiety in his face. " Have you bespoke a shutter, or something of the kinclj to^be conveyed home on, Miss Vavasour ?" drawled Lord Edward. " No, I have not ; but if you think there is any chance of,. your requiring one yourself, I am sure that Lady Coppleston will see that one is sent." " There, Karr, that's one for you, and you richly deserve it," said Sir Hugh, laughing. The napping of my habit, as I sprung into the saddle, rather upset Skylark, who resented the affront by rearing up in the air. I patted him gently and coaxed him. The groom who was an old acquaintance of mine, came round on the other side, and lowering his voice, said, " Never mind, Miss, don't you be afeared on him, he'll cany you like a bird. He's got no vice, not him ; only a little skittish. You give him his 'ead, and mind you," he added emphatically, " keep your hands low, and whatever 'ee do, don't go for to check him at his fences. Keep him well together and he'll take you over, I'll warrant." I promised to obey these instructions, and we rode off. Harleigh Brake was about three miles from Burton. It was a favorite fixture of Mr Treherne's, as it was sufficiently central to draw the best men of two other packs ; and there is always a fox to be found in Harleigh Brake. It was the first meet of the season, and a

very full one. Maiiy carriages, filled with bright, pretty faces, were drawn up on the grass by the covert side. Groups of men in red coats were scattered over the big pasture — some talking eagerly together, earnest in speculation concerning the coming run, whilst others were scanning either the merits of their own boots and tops or those of their neighbours. The sweet fresh smell of the grass, wet with morning dew ; the gay scene, with its background of blue hills and moor ; the happy faces around me, all wrought a beneficial influence upou me ; and notwithstanding the restive signs of impatience evinced by Skylark, I gave myself up to the sensational enjoyment of the moment. To be perfectly frank, I should perhaps add that certain complimenlary observations which caught my ear, tended to increase this satisfactory phase of feeling. " I say, Jervoise, who's that girl on that I splendid chesnut ?" I overheard one man ask his neighbour. " She has a superb seat and is stunningly good-looking into the bargain." "Don't know," responded the wiry-looking individual he addressed ; " some one come with the Copplestoue party." " I also was fortunate enough to attract the notice of one of a group of runners. " By Gosh, Bill ! there's a spicy turn out ! That ere one on the chesnut horse, my eyes ! I wouldn't miad being spliced if I got her for my missus." Sir Hugh Tracy also overheard the remark, and laughed heartily. f « There, Miss Vavasour ! now that is what I call a genuine compliment. Perhaps," he added in a lower tone, " he is not singular in j his opinion." ' Of course, I knew that few men would neglect the opportunity of making 2 )rett y speeches of the kind, which of course mean nothing. It was ridiculous to blush, I know, but still I am afraid I was foolish enough to do so, and no doubt Sir Hugh was setting me down as a credulous goose, for when I looked up his eyes were fixed on my face. " Presently, cries of " Here they come," from various quarters, proclaimed the arrival of the hounds. They were a splendid-looking pack, I thought. How beautiful they looked, with the bloom on their various-coloured skins, and their quick earnest movements ! The huntsman — a very determined, active-looking man — certainly cast suspicious glances at me as he passed close by. It was a natural antagonism, doubtless — unpleasant visions of heading the fox, getting in the way, or any of those feats for which woman are famed in the hunting field, crossed his anxious mind. Almost immediately in the rear appeared the master himself. I cannot do justice to that prince of gentlemen sportsmen, Mr Treherne, by attempting to describe him —his fine athletic figure, the good-natured, frank expression of his handsome face, his courteous manner, and last but not least, his perfect seat, all went to make him what he was — the heau-ideal of a master of fox-hounds. Lord Coppleston and my father arrived a few minutes later. " How well the dear old governor looks," I thought with a thrill of intense pride. He was riding his favourise hunter, Touchstone. I quite agree with old Isaac, who once said, " They make a splendid picture, them two — they do — the squire and Touchstone." Presently my father rode up to me with Mr Trcherno. " This is the little Nelly you were asking after, Treherne. Three years make a differance, don't they ?" " Mr Treherne shook hands with me. " Forgive me, Miss Vavasour, he said, with his frank, pleasant smile. " I have not forgotten my pleasant visit at Compton Lacy, but I confess I should hardly have recognised the young lady who did me the honour to conduct me under the raiseltoe." He referred to an event of some few years back, when at a juvenile ball, given in honour of my birthday, Mr Treherne had been my partner in a country dance, and had duly paid the forfeit of passing under the miseltoe. li Skylark ought to be proud of his burden, Miss Vavasour. I question if he has ever carried a lady before," said Mr Treherne. Which announcement did not reassure me at the moment. When he had moved off, my father said, in a slightly anxious tone, " If you find that you cannot hold him, turn back, Nelly." " Yes, papa." "Now you know perfectly well that you don't mean to turn back," said Sir Hugh Tracy, in a low tone. " One word of advice — Mrs Singleton is a safe lead. She knows this countiy. Follow her." " Thank you," I answered ; but inwardly I resolved that I would not follow her. In a few minutes the hounds were put into the gorse ; many of the scarlet coats began to move out of the field into the lane ; Mr Thornhill, who seemed to be in his usual state of nervous excitement, rushed forward at this juncture to open a hand gate for my passage through. Unfortunately his attempts were abortive, and his failure called down some remarks — frank rather than complimentary — from the people behind, who were exaspareted by the stoppage, each individual being anxious to get on, ready for a start. " What a precious muff !" ejaculated one, with a groan. " Got toes on his hands instead of fingers," grumbled, sotto vocg, a biu'ly young farmer. " Why, bless my stars ! if he aint pushing the latch down instead of up," cried an irritable old party, in a green coat and" worsted gloves. " Let me do it, Mr Thornhill ; I think I

can see how it is to be done," I said, pitying the poor man's embarrassing position, and forcing Skylark closer to the gate. I succeeded in raising the latch with the gold crook of my riding whip. " Thankee kindly, marm," said the owner of the worsted gloves, as he jostled through. " A set of surly brutes, those fellows !" remarked Mr Thomhill, much relieved by this timely assistance ; " but all's fair in a hunting field, Miss Vavasour." (To be Continued.)