hindmost of the flying crowd, had lain down between the shafts of
the waggon, as we had seen him.

The keepers had lost their heads in the panic, and no one durst go near
him. The lion-tamer had to be called from his bed, in lodgings in the
town, and only came on the scene just as Dermot's rifle had finished
the struggle. The master had quite seen the necessity, but was in
great despair at the loss of so valuable an animal.

"I'll share in making it good to him," said Harold.

"You? You are the last to do so. If you had only been let alone, the
beast would have been captured unhurt. No, no! I settled all that, as
it was I who meddled in the matter when, I believe, you could have
settled him yourself."

"I don't know that," said Harold. "I was glad enough to see your rifle
at his ear. But I should like to have his skin, if they would sell it."

Dermot explained that he had been bargaining for the skin, and hoped
Mr. Alison would accept it from him, but here Harold's resolution won
the day, much as Dermot evidently longed to lay the trophy at his feet.
Poor Dermot, I could see hero-worship growing in his eyes, as they
talked about horses, endlessly as men can and do talk of them, and
diligent inquiries elicited from Harold what things he had done with
the unbroken animal in Australia.

I went off the scene at once, but when I returned to luncheon they were
at it still. And Eustace's return with two steeds for Harold's
judgment renewed the subject with double vigour. Dermot gave his
counsel, and did not leave Arghouse without reiterating an invitation
to the cousins to come to-morrow to his cottage at Biston, to be
introduced to his stables, let doctors say what they might, and Eustace
was in raptures at the distinguished acquaintance he fancied he had
made for himself. He had learnt something of Mr. Tracy's sporting
renown, and saw himself introduced to all the hunting world of the
county, not to say of England.

It gave me a great deal to consider, knowing, as I did full well, that
poor Dermot's acquaintance was not likely to bring him into favour with
society, even if it were not dangerous in itself. And my poor mother
would not have been delighted at my day, a thing I had totally
forgotten in the pleasantness of having someone to talk to; for it was
six weeks since I had spoken to anyone beyond the family, except Miss
Woolmer. Besides, it was Dermot! And that was enough to move me in
itself.

I