trolled into the house during the forenoon, looking none the worse for her night out, and, much to his kennelman's annoyance, the Colonel refused to have her confined to the kennels. H

his kennelman, even when the

ty years, sir. She's just on her eightee

t, upon my word, I think she's also worth giving a good time to. Give her her head, and I don't think she wi

you know, sir, if a dog's to do hisself justice on the bench, you can't let him go skirmishing around the country like a gipsy's lurcher. It s

Fancy, either; and if they can't recognize the merits of a bitch like that because she's been living a natura

ued to enjoy life, the new and wider life to which she was being introduc

he redoubtable champion Windle Hercules in Hampshire. The Lady Desdemona's line of travel had been chosen. Bates was to escort her on the nuptial journey, and all arrangements for the wedding of the distinguished pair had been completed.

fifth day, the Lady Desdemona walked quietly up to the kitchen door at Shaws, followed leisurely by Finn, who, after seeing his mate welcome

was perfectly calm and content, but quite determined in her opposition to any hint of matrimonial pourparlers with the admitted champion of her race. Bates the kennelman pished and tushed, and thought he knew all abou

ed hound in England than the Lady Desdemona; and there were very few

to allowing him to kennel the Lady Desdemona. It is true the kennel given her was pretty nearly the size of a horse's loose box, and had a little covered outside yard of its

days she had taken no food; and as she obviously fretted when Finn was kept away from her

as seen that the Lady Desdem

way whether we like it or not. He's too old a hand to be cajoled, and I've sworn I'll n

t it when, a few days later, Desdemona passed out beyond the ken of

mona's disappearance, Finn turned up as usual in the evening at Nuthill, and spent the night on his own bed

ing to do with her disappearanc

hough he thought this might extract information regarding the whereabouts of Desdemona. But