his audience.

"An' as for her food," he resumed, "she didn't use a bit, hay, nor oats,
nor bran, bad nor good, since she left Johnny Connolly's. No, nor drink.
The divil dang the bit she put in her mouth for two days, first and
last. Why wouldn't she eat is it, miss? From the fright sure! She'll do
nothing, only standing that way, and bushtin' out sweatin', and watching
out all the time the way I wouldn't lave her. I declare to God I'm
heart-scalded with her!"

At this harrowing juncture came the order to No. 548 to go forth to Ring
3 to be judged, and further details were reserved. But Fanny Fitz had
heard enough.

"Captain Spicer," she said, as the party paced in deepest depression
towards Ring 3, "if I hadn't on a new veil I should cry!"

"Well, I haven't," replied Captain Spicer; "shall I do it for you? Upon
my soul, I think the occasion demands it!"

"I just want to know one thing," continued Miss Fitzroy. "When does your
brother-in-law arrive?"

"Not till to-night."

"That's the only nice thing I've heard to-day," sighed Fanny Fitz.

The judging went no better for the grey filly than might have been
expected, even though she cheered up a little in the ring, and found
herself equal to an invalidish but well-aimed kick at a