n high; you see, of course they know that Jim
won the quarter of a mile race at Aldershot last year. It becomes a
case of Rockcliffe _versus_ Aldershot, and of course all the sympathies
of Rockcliffe are with their own champion. I don't think, Miss
Chipchase, they will throw things at us; but you mustn't expect Jim's
victory to be received with enthusiasm. It's great fun to see the
excitement his appearance in the lists has occasioned. It was looked
upon as a foregone conclusion for Montague before; and though he is
still favourite, they know now that he has not got it all his own way."

"Thank you so much," said Sylla, in her most dulcet tones. "And now,
Captain Braybrooke, I want you to do me a great favour. It's of no use
denying it, but I am an arrant gambler at heart; I must and will have a
gamble on this. Will you please put five pounds for me on Captain
Bloxam?" and as she spoke Sylla saw with infinite satisfaction that she
had Lady Mary for an auditor.

"Certainly, Miss Chipchase," replied Braybrooke. "There can be no
manner of difficulty about that. I have backed Jim myself, and you can
stand in that much with my bets."

"Once more, thank you," replied Sylla; "and pray let Captain Bloxam
know that the fortunes of all Todborough depend upon his exertions."

But Sylla made a great mistake if she thought that her making a bet on
the result of this race would shock Lady Mary. The Ladies Ditchin had
known what it was as girls to lose their quarter's allowance over one
of their father's unlucky favourites for a big race; and Lady Mary all
her life had been far too accustomed to regard backing an opinion as
the strongest proof of sincere belief in it to feel in the least
shocked at anybody holding similar views. She had indeed told her
husband, as soon as the fact of her son being entered for this race
came to her knowledge, that she must have her usual wager of ten pounds
on the result. All the sporting instinct of her nature had been
aroused, and Jim's entering the lists against the Rockcliffe champion
had gone far to reconcile her to such an infringement of her programme
as was involved in their attending the Rockcliffe games.

"Your brother is a good runner, I presume, Miss Bloxam?" inquired
Lionel Beauchamp, who was sitting with Blanche on the other side of the
marquee.

"Yes, Jim is fast and has won several 'gentlemen's' races. I don't
want to brag, Mr. Beauchamp, but we Bloxams are all pretty