Page 217 (1/2)

The fifteenth of July was approaching, and the Polite World, the

World of Fashion, was stirred to its politest depths In the clubs

speculation was rife, the hourly condition of horses and riders was

discussed gravely and at length, while betting-books fluttered

everywhere In crowded drawing-rooether, and everywhere was a pleasurable

uncertainty, since there were known to be at least four competitors

whose chances were practically equal Therefore the Polite World,

gravely busied with its cards or e e of these chances,

was occasionally known to revoke, or prick its dainty finger

Even that other and greater world, which is neither fashionable nor

polite,--being too busy gaining the ithal to exist,--even in

fetid lanes and teeier places

still, the saot their business

awhile; crouching clerks straightened their stooping backs, became

for the nonce fabulously rich, and airily bet each other vast sums

that Carnaby's "Clasher" would do it in a canter, that Viscount

Devenham's "Moonraker" would have it in a walk-over, that the

Marquis of Jerningham's "Clinker" would leave the field nowhere, and

that Captain Slingsby's "Rascal" would run aith it

Yes, indeed, all the world was agog, rich and poor, high and low

Any barefooted young rascal sca the kennel could have