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Sir Charles rose early; and in the pride and joy of his heart, and not quite without an eye to triumphing over his mortal enemy and his cold friends, sent a mounted messenger with orders to his servants to prepare for his immediate reception, and to send out his landau and four horses to the "Rose," at Staveleigh, half-way between Huntercombe and the place where he now was.
By-and-by there was a cricket-match in the farmer's meadow, Highcombe and Huntercombe eleven against the town of Staveleigh. All clubs liked to play at Huntercombe, because Sir Charles found the tents and the dinner, and the young farmers drank his champagne to their hearts' content. Ruperta took her maid and went to see the match. They found it going against Huntercombe. The score as follows
Lady Bassett loosened the stays too, and a deep sigh of relief told the truth, which the lying tongue had denied, as it always does whenever the same question is put. The shawl was replaced, and comfort gained till they entered the town of Staveleigh. Nurse instantly exchanged places with Sir Charles, and took the child again. He was her banner in all public places.
Ruperta declined, with thanks; but he looked so imploringly that she sipped a little, and said, warmly, "I hope we shall win: and, if we do, I know whom we shall have to thank." "And so do I: you, Miss Bassett." "Me? Why, what have I done in the matter?" "You brought us luck, for one thing. You put us on our mettle. Staveleigh shall never beat me, with you looking on."
Seeing which, the wicket-keeper very judiciously let it alone, and it carried off the bails just half a second before Mr. Wright grounded his bat. "How's that, umpire?" cried the wicket-keeper. "Out!" said the Staveleigh umpire, who judged at that end. Up went the ball into the air, amid great excitement of the natives.
Staveleigh. First innings, a hundred and forty-eight runs. Huntercombe eighty-eight. Staveleigh. Second innings, sixty runs, and only one wicket down; and Johnson and Wright, two of their best men, well in, and masters of the bowling. This being communicated to Ruperta, she became excited, and her soul in the game.
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