Hornung Ernest William - A Bride from the Bush стр 19.

Perhaps she could not have expressed her gratitude more eloquently than she did but a minute before they all drove off in the glorious

June morning; when, getting her husband to herself for one moment, she flung her arms about his neck and whispered tenderly:

Im going to be as good as gold all day its the least I can do, darling!

And she was no worse than her word. The racing interested her vastly she won a couple of sweepstakes too, by the way yet all day she curbed her wild excitement with complete success. Only her dark eyes sparkled so that people declared they had never seen a woman so handsome, and in appearance so animated, who proved to have so little so appallingly little to say for herself. And it was Gladys herself who drove them all home again, handling the ribbons as no other woman handled them that season, and cracking her whip as very few men could crack one, so that it was heard for half a mile through the clear evening air, while for half that distance people twisted their necks and strained their eyes to see the last of the dark, bewitching, dashing driver who threaded her way with such nerve and skill through the moving maze of wheels and horseflesh that choked the country roads.

And, with it all, she kept her promise to the letter. And her husband was no less delighted than proud. And only her brother-in-law felt aggrieved.

But its too good to last, was that young mans constant consolation. Its a record, so far; but shell break out before the day is over; shell entertain us yet or Ill know the reason why! he may have added in his most secret soul. At all events, as he sat next her at dinner, when the Lady Lettice Dunlop his right-hand neighbour remarked in a whisper the Brides silence, Granville was particularly prompt to whisper back:

Try her about Australia. Sound her on the comparative merits of their races out there and Ascot. Talk in front of me, if you like; I dont mind; and shell like it.

So Lady Lettice Dunlop leant over gracefully, and said she had heard of a race called the Melbourne Cup; and how did it compare with the Gold Cup at Ascot?

The Bride shook her head conclusively, and a quick light came into her eyes. There is no comparison.

You mean, of course, that your race does not compare with ours? Well, it hardly would, you know! Lady Lettice smiled compassionately.

Not a bit of it! was the brusque and astonishing retort. I mean that the Melbourne Cup knocks spots I mean to say, is ten thousand times better than what we saw to-day!

The Lady Lettice sat upright again and manipulated her fan. And it was Granvilles opening.

I can quite believe it, chimed in Gran. I always did hear that that race of yours was the race of the world. Englishmen say so who have been out there, Lady Lettice. But you should tell us wherein the superiority lies, Gladys.

The Bride complied with alacrity.

Why, the course is ever so much nicer; there are ever so many more people, but ever so much less crowding; the management of everything is ever so much better; and the dresses are gayer ever so much!

Ever so much was a recent reform suggested by Alfred. It was an undoubted improvement upon a jolly sight, which it replaced; but, like most reforms, it was apt to be too much en evidence just at first.

She rattled off the points at a reckless rate, and paused fairly breathless. Her speaking looks and silent tongue no longer presented their curious contradiction; she not only looked excited, but spoke excitedly now. Lady Lettice smiled faintly, with elevated eyes and eyebrows, as she listened till the comparison between Colonial and English dress, at which home-touch Lady Lettice was momentarily overcome behind her fan. But the Bride had other hearers besides Lady Lettice; and those who heard listened for more; and those who listened for more heard Granville remark pleasantly:

You used to come down from the Bush for the Melbourne Cup, then?

Did once, Gladys was heard to reply.

Have a good time?

Did so .

Old gentleman in luck, then?

Pretty well. No; not altogether, I think.

Didnt care about going again, eh?

No; but that was because he knocked up when we got back.

The conversation had become entirely confidential between the two. Lady Lettice was out of it, and looked as though she were glad of that, though in reality she was listening with quite a fierce interest. Others were listening too, and not a few were watching the Bride with a thorough fascination: the good humour and high spirits with which she was now brimming over enhanced her beauty to a remarkable degree.

What was it that knocked him up? inquired Granville softly, but in distinct tones.

She smiled at him. Never

you mind!

But I am interested. He looked it.

She smiled at him again, not dreaming that any other eye was upon her; then she raised her champagne glass two inches from the table and set it down again; and her smile broadened, as though it were the best joke in the world.

The refined tale was told. The action was understood by all who had listened to what went before.