BY
ALICE AND CLAUDE ASKEW,
AUTHORS OF
"THE SHULAMITE," "THE ETONIAN," "THE PLAINS OF SILENCE,"
"NOT PROVEN," ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
LONDON:
WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED.
1910.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
I. Mostyn Makes his Debût
II. Mostyn Sees the Derby
III. Mostyn Accepts a Challenge
IV. Mostyn is Rebellious
V. Mostyn Realises his Position
VI. Mostyn is put on his Mettle
VII. Mostyn is Surprised
VIII. Mostyn Entertains a Guest
IX. Mostyn Makes a Purchase
X. Mostyn Learns his Error
XI. Mostyn Makes Reparation
XII. Mostyn Tells his Love
XIII. Mostyn Prepares for Battle
XIV. Mostyn Makes an Enemy
XV. Mostyn Faces Defeat
XVI. Mostyn is Tempted
XVII. Mostyn is Given Another Chance
XVIII. Mostyn Meets with an Accident
XIX. Mostyn is Better Understood
XX. Mostyn Completes his Task
THE SPORTING CHANCE.
"It may be old-fashioned to drive a coach to theDerby, but I'll be in my coffin before I'll go downany other way!" Thus, perpetrating a characteristic"bull," spoke genial and popular "OldRory," as he was known to the best part of theworld—Sir Roderick Macphane, to give him histrue title.
A few minutes back he had handed over theribbons to one of the grooms, who, with his fellow,was now busily engaged unharnessing the horses,four fine roans, as handsome a team as the heartof man could desire. "Old Rory" was a famouswhip, and, in spite of his advancing years, a goodall-round sportsman—a master of hounds, a familiarfigure on the race-course, and as good a judge ofhorse and dog flesh as any in the country. In hisyounger days he had been an intrepid rider at thehurdles, an amateur of more than common merit.
There was, perhaps, no more popular man than"Rory" Macphane in the three kingdoms. Hewas laughed at, especially in Parliament, where heheld a seat for an Irish division, because of hisquaint sayings and frequent faux pas, but his goodnature, charity, and kindness of heart were admittedon all sides. They were as palpable as hissportsmanship.
Mostyn Clithero, who occupied a seat at theback of the coach together with his friend andfuture brother-in-law, Pierce Trelawny, a nephewof Sir Roderick's, enjoyed the comments of thecrowd as the coach threaded its way to theappointed place opposite the Grand Stand.
"That's 'Old Rory,' what owns Hipponous." Howthe populace murdered the colt's name!