ared a
lane at the back of the cart which I had so erroneously imagined to
contain the Prince Consort. The doors flew open, and I was all eyes to
witness the magnificent sight of "the monarch of the waste" leaping
forth into the sunshine, exulting in his freedom. Shall I confess that
I was somewhat disappointed?

A neutral-coloured beast, something like a donkey, bundled out in a
clumsy, unwilling sort of manner, and on his egress commenced cropping
the grass with the utmost _sang froid_ and placidity. My friend the
sweep threw his cap at him. He raised his head, shorn of its branching
honours, and, after staring about him, trotted quietly off amongst the
spectators, closely followed by two well-mounted officials, termed, I
believe, "flappers" by disrespectful sportsmen, but whose duty, it
appears, is to keep the chase in view till it either beats them off
for pace, or leaves them "planted" at some large awkward impediment,
the latter obstacle generally presenting itself in about three fields.
On this occasion I saw the deer trot quite composedly up to a high
thorn fence of at least six feet, and clear it without an effort;
whereon its pursuers, looking blandly around for gate or gap, and
finding none, prudently returned to their fellow-officials in scarlet
and gold lace--I conclude, to report upon their own inefficiency. In
the meantime nobody seemed to be in a hurry; there was, indeed, some
slight stir among the equestrians; but there was no throwing away of
cigars, no drawing of girths and taking up of curb-chains--none of the
bustle and confusion created by the departure of a wild fox over a
grass country. On the contrary, every one here seemed to know exactly
how much time he had to spare. We ladies were naturally the most
impatient of the throng. Presently the huntsman looked at his watch,
and said something to the noble master, who looked at his, and
replied, "I think we may begin."

There was a slight bustle among the "knowing ones;" two or three
officers of the Life Guards stole forward a few paces; one of the
officials cracked his whip; and ere I knew exactly what had happened,
the hounds were streaming away over an adjoining field, "heads up and
sterns down," running perfectly mute, but at a pace which would have
astonished my old friends of the Heavytop country to no small extent.
Several desperate speculators were making frightful efforts for a
start. Two of the Life Guardsmen were settled with the hounds