“They look nervous, Tim, most on ’em,” observes Captain Rocket, while with his own hands he adjusts “the tackle,” as he calls it, on his horse; and his friend “Tim” giving him a “leg up,” he canters Sober John past the stand, none of the ladies thinking that docile animal has the remotest chance of winning. “He seems much too quiet,” says Blanche, “and he’s dreadfully ugly.” “Beauty is not absolutely essential in _horses_, Miss Kettering,” replies a deep, quiet voice at her elbow. Major D’Orville has resumed his place by her side. Though he thinks he is paying attention to Blanche, he cannot, in reality, forbear hovering about Mrs. Delaval. That lady, meanwhile, with clasped hands, is hoping with all her heart that Captain Rocket may _not win_. If “wishes were horses,” we think this young gentleman now tearing down the course upon Haphazard, throwing the dirt round him like a patent turnip-cutter, would have a good many of hers to bear him on his victorious career. By the way, Mary has never found her glove; we wonder whether that foolish boy knows anything about it. And talking of gloves, look at that dazzling pair of white kids on a level with his chin, in which “Mohair, of the Heavies,” is endeavouring to control Bendigo. He has had two large glasses of sherry, yet does he still look very pale--another, and yet another, comes striding past like a whirlwind--Sir Ascot rides Lady Lavender, and Cornet Capon is to pilot the Fox. It is very difficult to know which is which amongst the variegated throng, and the ladies puzzle sadly over their cards, in which, as is usually the case at steeple-chases, the colours are all set down wrong. Each damsel, however, has one favourite at least whom she could recognise in any disguise, and we may be sure that “blue-and-orange” is not without his well-wishers in the grand-stand. Major D’Orville is an admirable cicerone, inasmuch as besides being steward, he has a heavy book on the race, and knows the capabilities of each horse to a pound, whatever may be his uncertainty as regards the riders. “Your cousin has a very fair chance, Miss Kettering--he seems to ride uncommonly well for _such a boy_; Sir Ascot wants nerve, and Mohair can’t manage his horse.” “See, they’ve got ’em in line,” exclaims the General, who is in a state of frantic excitement altogether. “Silence, pray! he’s going to--ah, the blundering blockhead, it’s a false start!” Major D’Orville takes out his double-glasses, and proceeds quietly without noticing the interruption, “Then the Fox has been lame, and Capon is a sad performer; nevertheless, you shall have your choice, Miss Kettering, and I’ll bet you a pair of gloves on the----By Jove, they’re off,” and the Major puts his glasses up in scarcely veiled anxiety, whilst Mary Delaval’s heart beats thick and fast, as she strains her eyes towards the fleeting tulip-coloured throng, drawing gradually out from the dark mass of spectators that have gone to witness the start.