HALF A MILLION OF MONEY.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "BARBARA'S HISTORY."

CHAPTER XXVII. THE LAST MEET OF THE SEASON.

WHEN Mr. Trefalden arrived at Castletowers
at ten o'clock on Thursday morning, he was
somewhat dismayed to find the court-yard
crowded with carriages, the terrace full of
ladies, and the open, lawn-like space in front of
the house all alive with scarlet coats, horses,
grooms, and hounds. Having walked across
from the station by the field-paths, he came
upon the noisy scene all at once, and learned
from half a dozen voices together, that it was
the last meet of the season.

Fully expecting to find his appointment
forgotten, and Saxon among the riders, he passed
on to the house, where the first person he met was
Miss Colonna, en amazone, with her riding- whip
in her hand, and a drooping feather in her hat.

"Ah, Mr. Trefalden," she said, "we have
just been talking of you. You will find none
but enemies here."

"I trust that I am not to include
Mademoiselle Colonna among that number."

"Of course not," she replied, with a smile
that had some little mockery in it. " Is not
Mr. Trefalden enrolled among the Friends of
Italy? By the way, you have not yet seen
your self in our printed report for March. I have
placed your name at the head of a column."

The lawyer bowed, and professed himself
infinitely flattered.

"May I ask," said he, " why I am so
unfortunate as to have provoked all this enmity to
which you refer?"

"Because your presence deprives us of the
pleasure of your cousin's society, and prevents
him from putting on a scarlet coat, and
distinguishing himself as a mighty hunter before
the ladies."

"When he would infallibly have broken his
neck," said Mr. Trefalden, dryly.

"By-the-by, why did you not tell me he was
your cousin, that day we met at Reichenau?"
asked Miss Colonna, with provoking directness.

"I really cannot tell—unless I supposed the
fact could have no kind of interest for you."

"Or were you afraid I should want to enlist
him also? But here is my steed."

"May I assist you to mount, Mademoiselle
Colonna?"

"Many thanks," she said, as, having taken
her tiny foot with the reverence of a devotee,
Mr. Trefalden lifted her dexterously to the
saddle, and arranged the folds of her habit. " I
had really no idea, Mr. Trefalden, that you, a
doctor learned in the law, were also an
accomplished cavalier."

"Why not, signora?"

"Indeed, I can hardly say; but I should as
soon have thought of exacting escort-duty from
the Archbishop of Canterbury. Do you hunt?"

"I have hunted; but not for several years.
I have no time for cruelty, as a fine art."

"A subtle distinction, I presume, between
business and pleasure," she said, laughingly.
"I beg you to understand, however, Mr.
Trefalden, that I do not hunt at all. I only ride
to cover, and see the hounds throw off. I love
to hear their 'gallant chiding'—but I am always
sorry for the fox."

"I fear Lord Castletowers will not endorse
that amiable sentiment," replied the lawyer,
as the Earl came running down the broad
stone steps, followed by some five or six other
gentlemen. Seeing Mademoiselle Colonna
already in the saddle, he bit his lip, and said with
unconcealed disappointment:

"Has Vaughan again anticipated me in my
office?"

The proud blood rose to Olimpia's cheek.

"To assist a lady whose horse waits at the
door, is, I believe, the office of whatever
gentleman may be at hand, Lord Castletowers," she
replied, haughtily. "Mr. Trefalden was so
obliging as to help me to mount this morning."

The Earl turned in some confusion, and
shook hands with his lawyer.

"I beg your pardon, Trefalden," he said,
hastily. "I had not observed you. Won't you
take a run with us? Ah, no—I forgot. You
are here to-day on business; but we shall meet
at dinner. You will find your cousin in the
dining-room."

And with this he sprang upon his black mare,
reined up beside Mademoiselle Colonua, and
began speaking in a low earnest tone that was
audible to her alone. But the lady answered
him briefly, bade Mr. Trefalden a courteous
good morning, and rode swiftly out of the court-
yard, followed by the red-coats as by a guard of
honour.

Mr. Trefalden looked after them, and smiled
thoughtfully.