Part 36 (2/2)

”I think you are nantly ”You kno often it has changed hands; and you yourself can hardly ride it”

Havoc had tried to scramble down the bank, which luckily for me had not been immediately under the fence, but it could not be done, so we took a so for the people in the ford to see However, as the water was deep where I landed, I was not hurt, but had fainted from fear and exhaustion

Peter's ony of fear, he ar my feet with both his hands while I watched hiham by my kind friend, who turned out to be Mrs Bunbury, a sister of John Watson, the Master of the Meath hounds, and the daughter of old Mr Watson, the Master of the Carlow and the finest rider to hounds in England

This was how Peter and I first came really to know each other; and after that it was only a question of time when our friendshi+p developed into a serious love-affair I stayed with Mrs Bunbury in the Grafton country that winter for several weeks and was mounted by every one

As Peter was a kind of hero in the hunting field and had never been known to mount a woman, I was the object of much jealousy

The first scene in my life occurred at Brackley, where he and a friend of his, called Hatfield Harter, shared a hunting box together

There was a lady of charm and beauty in the vicinity ent by the naone well to hounds in her youth, but I had never observed her ju horses and once or twice had ridden home with us Peter did not appear to like her much, but I was too busy to notice this one way or the other One day I said to hiht he was rather snubby to her and added:

”After all, sheand I don't think it's nice of you to show such irritation when she joins us”

PETER: ”Do you call her old?”

MARGOT: ”Well, oldish I should say She must be over thirty, isn't she?”

PETER: ”Do you call that old?”

MARGOT: ”I don't kno old are you, Peter?”

PETER: ”I shan't tell you”

One day I rode back froot wet to the skin I had left the Bunbury broughao back in wet clothes; so, after seeinglady's house to borrow dry clothes She was out, but her --servedtea with Peter, as ill in bed, I drove up to thank the lady for her clothes She was lying on a long, thickly pillowed couch, sreeted arette into the fire and, suddenly sitting very erect, said:

”Wait! I have so to say to you”

I saw by the expression on her face that I had no chance of getting away, though I was tired and felt at a strange disadvantage inskirts

MRS BO: ”Does it not strike you that going to tea with ano one can do?”

MARGOT: ”Going to see a man who is ill? No, certainly not!”

MRS BO: ”Well, then let me tell you for your own information hoill strike other people I ao on doing this sort of thing! Why should you co all of us who are friends and make mischief and create talk?”

I felt chilled to the bone and, getting up, said:

”I think I had better leave you now, as I a up and co very close to h yellow fever! But, though I have lived next door to hi what you have done to-day”