Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/84

 I don’t dislike it; they’re devilish well got up, and they sit well.’ ‘Ha! that’s original. Wants a little brass to start, but, after all, it’s more natural than the lady’s seat, and better for the horse, else why don’t we ride side-saddle?’

From these and like observations our two girls gathered that their reception was on the whole favourable. Two or three of the more old-fashioned lady members of the hunt regarded the innovation with displeasure; but there was something in the demeanour of the two friends which made those who were inclined to be bitter against them think it well to reserve the expression of their opinions for occasions when the objects of them were not present. The master now arrived, and after excusing himself to those nearest for being late, started with the huntsman for cover at a steady trot.

‘Take care of yourselves; don’t be rash,’ called out Mrs Bristley from the carriage, turning round to go home. ‘The two girls replied by a wave of the hand, not very comfortably spared, as the nags were already pulling under them in the excitement of the move.

The route to the first cover usually drawn from that meet lay by a cart-track through a line of gates. It was a small square gorse, so called, but of late years it had grown more blackthorn than gorse, and was fenced in with hedge and ditch. Our two girls, partly, it must be said, from the eagerness of their horses, reached it among the first, and were much interested by watching the throw off.

‘Go hark, hark, hark! yoi! my beauties, go hark, hark!’ called the huntsman, cracking his thong, while his horse backed about in elegant curvetings.

‘How funny that all the dogs have the same name!’ remarked Miss Blemmyketts to her friend, as they drew up side by side. ‘If they’re all called Hark, how does he know one from another?’