Part 39 (2/2)

MARGOT: ”How can I?”

PETER: ”Do you knoho it is?”

MARGOT: ”I do not”

I felt the cock ought to have crowed, but I said nothing; and Peter was so busy greeting his friends in the field that I prayed he had not observed uilty face

So at Leicester Lord Lonsdale took a special at Oakham for the occasion and the Manners, Peter and I all went to the races When I walked into the paddock, I sawto the Prince of Wales When we joined thetry's horse start, as it was a great rogue and difficult to try horse, the crowd made way for us and I found my friend next to me; on his other side was Peter Flower and then the Prince The horse had his eyes bandaged and one of his forelegs was being held by a stable-boy When the jockey was up and the bandage reave an extended and violent buck I was standing so near that I felt the draught of its kick onhis arood as ahim for his protection I chatted cheerfully to the Prince of Wales

There is nothing so tiring as racing and we all sat in perfect silence going ho

Neither at dinner nor after had I any opportunity of speaking to Peter, but I observed a singularly i Sunday--I asked hio round the stables with me after church; he refused, so I went alone After dinner I tried again to talk to hiry, but he appeared to be profoundly sad, which depressedto hunt that week as he feared he would have to be in London My heart sank We all went to our roo

As he never read in winter I knew there was soown to see hiht The room was empty and ere alone He never looked up

MARGOT: ”Peter, you've not spoken to me once since the races What can have happened?”

PETER: ”I would rather you left o back to your roo on the sofa beside him): ”Won't you speak to me and tellat me steadily, said very slowly:

”I'd rather not speak to a liar!”

I stood up as if I had been shot and said:

”How dare you say such a thing!”

PETER: ”You lied to me”

MARGOT: ”When?”

PETER: ”You know perfectly well! And you are in love! You know you are Will you deny it?”

”Oh! it's this that worries you, is it?” said I sweetly ”What would you say if I told you I was NOT?”

PETER: ”I would say you were lying again”

MARGOT: ”Have I ever lied to you, Peter?”

PETER: ”How can I tell? (SHRUGGING HIS SHOULDERS) You have lied twice, so I presuot into the habit of it”

MARGOT: ”Peter!”

PETER: ”A man doesn't scream and put his arm round a woman, as D-- ly did at the races to-day, unless he is in love Will you tell me who paid my debt, please?”