Page:Bridefrombush00horn.pdf/114

108 So Lady Lettice Dunlop leant over gracefully, and said she had heard of a race called the Melbourne Cup; and how did it compare with the Gold Cup at Ascot?

The Bride shook her head conclusively, and a quick light came into her eyes. 'There is no comparison.'

'You mean, of course, that your race does not compare with ours? Well, it hardly would, you know!' Lady Lettice smiled compassionately.

'Not a bit of it!' was the brusque and astonishing retort. 'I mean that the Melbourne Cup knocks spots—I mean to say, is ten thousand times better than what we saw to-day!'

The Lady Lettice sat upright again and manipulated her fan. And it was Granville's opening.

'I can quite believe it,' chimed in Gran. 'I always did hear that that race of yours was the race of the world. Englishmen say so who have been out there, Lady Lettice. But you should tell us wherein the superiority lies, Gladys.'

The Bride complied with alacrity.

'Why, the course is ever so much nicer; there are ever so many more people, but ever