PROPER PRIDE. A Novel. Life may change, but it may fly not; Hope may vanish, but can die not; Truth be veiled, but still it burneth, Love repulsed--but it returneth. _IN THREE VOLUMES._ VOL. III. LONDON: TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE ST. STRAND. 1882. [_All rights reserved._] CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS. CONTENTS. PAGE CHAPTER I. SIR REGINALD FAIRFAX AT HOME 1 CHAPTER II. CARDIGAN 37 CHAPTER III. “A KISS, AND NOTHING MORE” 55 CHAPTER IV. BAD NEWS 84 CHAPTER V. A TRAVELLER’S TALES 113 CHAPTER VI. THE BALL AT RUFFORD 141 CHAPTER VII. THE LOST WEDDING-RING 173 CHAPTER VIII. MARY JANE’S DISCOVERY 201 CHAPTER IX. ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL 244 PROPER PRIDE. CHAPTER I. SIR REGINALD FAIRFAX AT HOME. “I never knew such an unmitigated young idiot!” exclaimed Sir Reginald the next morning at breakfast, as he tossed aside a letter and tore open a paper with a rustle of impatience. “You are not alluding to any of the present company, I trust?” asked Geoffrey mildly, as he helped himself lavishly to marmalade. “No,” returned his cousin, without raising his eyes from the perusal of some interesting piece of military news, “no, only one of our fellows at the depôt.” “Go on, I’m thirsting for particulars. What has he been doing? Getting married?” “Setting up a racing-stable,” replied Sir Reginald, laying down the paper; “and he knows as much about the turf as--as--” looking round for a simile--“Maurice. He has a horse in for these Sundown Races, on Friday; a new purchase, called”--referring to the note--“Tornado, and has backed him heavily, of course.” “Tornado,” echoed Geoffrey; “I know the brute well--a pulling, tearing, mad chestnut. He won the Chester Cup when Langstaffe had him. But he is a real devil to ride. He killed one jockey--bolted into a stable with him--and Langstaffe has had to pay up well for the support of his widow and children. I congratulate your young friend. Is he going to ride him himself?”