“Well,” said the young man, desperately plunging, “the coronet I should say would certainly not be inappropriate. It goes with princesses, duchesses and that sort of thing. Don't you think so, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt?” said Duckworth, hoping to be extricated. That lady, however, gave him no assistance but continued to smile affectionately at the girl beside her. “What style is this that you have now adopted, may I ask?” inquired Mr. Duckworth cautiously. “Oh, that's a combination of several. It's a creation of Kathleen's which as yet has received no name.” “Then it should be named at once,” said Duckworth with great emphasis. “May I suggest the Thunderbolt? You see, of course--so stunning.” “They are coming on,” cried Nora, turning her shoulder in disdain upon the young man. “Look, there's your brother, Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. I think he is perfectly splendid.” “Which is he?” said Mr. Duckworth, acutely interested. “That tall, fine-looking man on the brown pony.” “Oh, yes, I see. Met him this morning. By Jove, he is some looker too,” replied Mr. Duckworth with reluctant enthusiasm. “And there is the High River Captain,” said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt, “on the grey.” “Oh, yes, Monteith, he played for All Canada last year, didn't he?” said Nora with immense enthusiasm. “He is perfectly splendid.” “I hear the High River club has really sent only its second team, or at least two of them,” said Mrs. Waring-Gaunt. “Certainly Tremaine is not with them.” “I hope they get properly trimmed for it,” said Nora, indignantly. “Such cheek!” The result of the match quite exceeded Nora's fondest hopes, for the High River team, having made the fatal error of despising the enemy, suffered the penalty of their mistake in a crushing defeat. It was certainly a memorable day for Wolf Willow, whose inhabitants were exalted to a height of glory as they never experienced in all their history. “Serves us right,” said Monteith, the High River Captain, apologising for his team's poor display to his friend, Hec Ross, who had commanded the Wolf Willow team. “We deserved to be jolly well licked, and we got what was coming to us.” “Oh, we're not worrying,” replied the Wolf Willow Captain, himself a sturdy horseman and one of the most famous stick handlers in the West. “Of course, we know that if Murray and Knight had been with you the result would have been different.” “I am not at all sure about that,” replied Monteith. “That new man of yours, Romayne, is a wonder. Army man, isn't he?” “Yes, played in India, I believe.” “Oh, no wonder he's such a don at it. You ought to get together a great team here, Ross, and I should like to bring our team down again to give you a real game.” “When?” “Say two weeks. No. That throws it a little late for the harvest. Say a week from to-day.” “I shall let you know to-night,” said Ross. “You are staying for the spellbinding fest and entertainment, are you not?” “Sure thing; we are out for the whole day. Who are on for the speaking?”