sion to a
baronetcy gave a casting vote in his favour. The Major's plans on the
subject of matrimony were not at present in such an advanced stage as
Mrs. Hoopington's, but he was beginning to find his way over to
Hoopington Hall with a frequency that was already being commented on.

"He had a wretchedly thin field out again yesterday," said Mrs.
Hoopington. "Why you didn't bring one or two hunting men down with you,
instead of that stupid Russian boy, I can't think."

"Vladimir isn't stupid," protested her niece; "he's one of the most
amusing boys I ever met. Just compare him for a moment with some of your
heavy hunting men--"

"Anyhow, my dear Norah, he can't ride."

"Russians never can; but he shoots."

"Yes; and what does he shoot? Yesterday he brought home a woodpecker in
his game-bag."

"But he'd shot three pheasants and some rabbits as well."

"That's no excuse for including a woodpecker in his game-bag."

"Foreigners go in for mixed bags more than we do. A Grand Duke pots a
vulture just as seriously as we should stalk a bustard. Anyhow, I've
explained to Vladimir that certain birds are beneath his dignity as a
sportsman. And as he's only nineteen, of course, his dignity is a sure
thing to appeal to."

Mrs. Hoopington sniffed. Most people with whom Vladimir came in contact
found his high spirits infectious, but his present hostess was guaranteed
immune against infection of that sort.

"I hear him coming in now," she observed. "I shall go and get ready for
tea. We're going to have it here in the hall. Entertain the Major if he
comes in before I'm down, and, above all, be bright."

Norah was dependent on her aunt's good graces for many little things that
made life worth living, and she was conscious of a feeling of
discomfiture because the Russian youth whom she had brought down as a
welcome element of change in the country-house routine was not making a
good impression. That young gentleman, however, was supremely
unconscious of any shortcomings, and burst into the hall, tired, and less
sprucely groomed than usual, but distinctly radiant. His game-bag looked
comfortably full.

"Guess what I have shot," he demanded.

"Pheasants, woodpigeons, rabbits," hazarded Norah.

"No; a large beast; I don't know what you call it in English. Brown,
with a darkish tail." Norah changed colour.

"Does it live in a tree and eat nuts?" she asked, hoping that the use of
the adjective "large" might be