, Jim, I don't see why you should n't 'enter for the
plate' as well as the Kennyfeck girls."

"I like _you_ better, Charley," said she, curveting her horse, and
passaging him alternately from side to side.

"This is the second time to-day I have played the eavesdropper
unconsciously," said Roland, in a whisper, "and with the proverbial
fortune of the listener in both cases." And with these words he moved
on, leaving Linton still standing opposite the opening of the hedge.

Cashel had not advanced many paces beneath the shelter of the tall
hollies, when Frobisher accidentally caught sight of Linton, and called
out, "Ha, Tom,--found you at last! Where have you been hiding the whole
morning?--you that should, at least, represent our host here."

Linton muttered something, while, by a gesture, he endeavored to caution
Frobisher, and apprise him of Cashel's vicinity. The fretful motion of
hie horse, however, prevented his seeing the signal, and he resumed,--

"One of my people tells me that Cashel came with the Kilgoffs this
morning. I say, Tom, you'll have to look sharp in that quarter. Son,
there--quiet, Gustave--gently, man!"

"He's too fat, I think. You always have your cattle too heavy," said
Linton, hoping to change the topic.

"He carries flesh well. But what is it I had to tell you? Oh, I remember
now,--about the yacht club. I have just got a letter from Derwent, in
which he says the thing is impossible. His remark is more true than
courteous. He says, 'It's all very well in such a place as Ireland to
know such people, but that it won't do in England; besides that, if
Cashel does wish to get among men of the world, he ought to join some
light cavalry corps for a year or so, and stand plucking by Stanhope,
and Dashfield, and the rest of them. They 'll bring him out if he 'll
only pay handsomely.'--Soh, there, man,--do be quiet, will you?--The
end of it is, that Derwent will not put his name up. I must say it's a
disappointment to me; but, as a younger brother, I have only to smile
and submit."

While Lord Charles was retailing this piece of information in no very
measured tone, and only interrupted by the occasional impatience of his
horse, Linton's eyes were fixed on Cashel, who, at the first mention of
his own name, increased his speed, so as to suggest the fond hope that
some, at least, of this unwelcome intelligence might have escaped him.

"You'll have to break the thing to him, Tom," resumed Lord Charle