HALF A MILLION OF MONEY.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "BARBARA'S HISTORY."

CHAPTER XXXIII. THE RIFLE MATCH.

AT half-past two, an open carriage drove up
to the ground, and four ladies alighted. They
were received by Lord Castletowers, handed to
their seats, and presented with written
programmes of the games. Miss Colonna was
installed in the central arm-chair, which, being
placed a little in advance of the other seats
and dignified with a footstool, was styled,
magniloquently, the Throne. Scarcely had they
taken their places, when two more carriages
appeared upon the scene, the first of which
contained Lady Arabella Walkingshaw and Miss
Hatherton, and the second, Mrs. Cadogan, the
wife of the Sedgebrook vicar, and her two
daughters. The latter, hearing down in the
village what was doing in the park, had come
over to see the sports; but Lady Arabella's
visit was made in exclusive pursuance of her own
little game, and bore no kind of reference to any
game that might be set on foot by other people.
She was, therefore, rather put out than otherwise
when, instead of finding Lady Castletowers
at home, she was informed that "my lady was
gone across the park to see the gentlemen race,
and had left word, if any friends called at the
house, that there would be seats for them, if
they liked to follow." Miss Hatherton,
however, was delighted.

"It's perfectly charming," said she, as they
turned down the drive leading to that part of
the park indicated by the servant. "You cannot
think how pleased I am, Lady Arabella!"

"Well, my dear, then I am pleased too,"
replied Lady Arabella, benevolently.

"There's nothing I enjoy so much as contests
of this kind," Miss Hatherton went on to say.
"Boat-races, horse-races, reviews, anything, so
long as skill, strength, or speed is in question.
Why, I haven't missed a Derby-day for the last
five years; and as for the Roman Carnival, the
only thing I care for in it is the horse-race. I'm
always sorry the Jews don't run instead. It
would be so much more amusing."

"You droll creature!" said Lady Arabella,
with a faint smile. "I wonder if Mr. Trefalden
will take part in these games?"

"Of course he will—and win all before him.
He's as fleet as a chamois, depend on it."

"I hope they won't fire," said Lady Arabella,
with a little lady-like shudder.

"And I hope, above all things, that they will.
But then, you know, dear Lady Arabella, I have
no nerves. Why, this is delightful—there's
quite a crowd!"

And so there was. News is contagious, and
propagates itself as mysteriously as the potato
disease. The whole neighbourhood had already
heard, somehow or another, of what was doing
at the park; and every farmer, gamekeeper, and
idle fellow about the place, was on the ground
long before the hour appointed. As for the
women and children, nothing short of Polygamy
could account for their numbers.

"Lady Arabella Walkingshaw and Miss
Hatherton!" said Lord Castletowers, hastening
to the carriage door as they drove up. "This is
indeed a happy accident. You have been to the
house, I suppose, to call upon my mother."

"We have; but with no idea that we were
coming to a—a fête of this kind," replied Lady
Arabella, somewhat at a loss for the most
appropriate word, and exchanging bows and
gracious smiles with the ladies on the platform.

"Why did you not tell us about it last
evening, you sly man?" asked Miss Hatherton.

"Because I then knew no more about it than
yourself," replied the Earl. "It is an
improvisation."

"And what are you going to do?"

"A little of everything—rifle-shooting, leaping,
running; but you shall have a programme
presently, and if you will alight, I can give you
seats beside my mother."

With this he gave his arm to Lady Arabella,
and conducted both ladies to the place of
honour.

"But where are the competitors?" said Miss
Hatherton, when the due greetings had been
exchanged, and they had taken their seats; "and
above all, where's my friend, the noble savage?"

"Trefalden? Oh, he's in our tent, out
yonder. This affair was his idea entirely."

"And an admirable idea too. But he'll beat
you, you know."

"He would, if he came forward," replied the
Earl; "but he declines to compete."

"Declines to compete!" echoed the heiress.

"Yes—for everything except the last race—
and that we all go in for."

"I never heard of such a thing!" exclaimed
Miss Hatherton, indignantly. "Why, it's as if