e Jim told his partner all about the
programme for the morrow; how it was arranged that they should all
drive up to the camp to lunch, look at the games, and either walk or
drive back as seemed good to then. Then he confided to her how he was
going to enter for the "All Army Cup." "Principally," continued Jim,
"to oblige Dick Conyers, who is so extremely anxious to see the conceit
taken out of a fellow in the Engineers called Montague."

"And you," said Sylla, who manifested great interest in the affair,
"are you really a good runner?"

"Well, no, I can hardly say that--remember that is rather a big thing
to say; but I am a bit above the average, and have beaten good fields
upon three or four occasions."

"I understand; and what chance do you think you have with this Mr.
Montague? Recollect, I mean plunging in gloves unless you assure me it
is hopeless."

"Well, if I thought it that," replied Jim, "I shouldn't run, and that's
about as much as I can say. I have never seen Montague run, and I
don't think either of us can possibly draw an estimate of the other's
form; still, the best man in a camp like Rockcliffe must be a pretty
good amateur. I can only take for my comfort that Aldershot is bigger,
and I proved myself the best man there over a similar distance last
year."

"That's good enough for me. You must pardon my getting a little
slangy," replied Sylla, laughing; "but, dear me! when we come down to
pedestrianism we can't help it. I like your friend Captain Conyers.
He is very anxious, you tell me, to see Mr. Montague's colours lowered."

"Yes, I assure you he was quite pathetic in his adjuration to me to do
my utmost," rejoined Jim.

"Ah, well, we must hope he will be gratified, and in spite of _Punch's_
wicked comparison of the dismounted dragoon to the goose on the
turnpike-road, I shall hope to see the camp champion go down before
Todborough to-morrow. But now tell me, how long have you known Lionel
Beauchamp?"

"I met him this year in London for the first time."

"What do you think of him?"

"He is a very good fellow as far as I can judge," replied Jim; "very
quiet; but you know I have had no opportunity of seeing much of him."

"You never saw him ride, I suppose?"

"No, except in the Row. Does he hunt?"

"Oh, yes, he hunts in his own county," replied Sylla. "You never saw
him shoot, I suppose?"

"No, he doesn't attend Hurlingham; that is to say, I mean he doesn't go
in for pigeons.