The
greater part of it was clearly visible from where they stood. The
Duke pointed out the water jump with some trepidation, but the
Prince's glasses rested on it only for a moment. He pointed to a
clump of trees.
"Which side there?" he asked.
"To the left," the Duke answered. "Remember to keep inside the red
flags."
The Prince nodded.
"Where do we finish?" he asked.
The Duke showed him.
"That is all right," he said. "I need not look any more."
In the paddock some of the horses were being led around. The
Prince noted them approvingly.
"Very nice horses," he said,--"light, but very nice. That one I
like best," he added, pointing to a dark bay mare, who was
already giving her boy some trouble.
"That's lucky," the Duke answered, "for she's your mount. I must
go and talk to the clerk about your entry. It is a little late,
but I think that it will be all right."
The Prince glanced over Lady Grace's mare and turned aside to
join Penelope and Somerfield.
"I like the look of my horse, Sir Charles," he said. "I think
that I shall beat you today."
"We both start at five to one," Somerfield answered. "Shall we
have a bet?"
"With pleasure," the Prince agreed. "Will you name the amount? I
do not know what is usual."
"Anything you like," Somerfield answered, "from ten pounds to a
hundred."
"One hundred,--we will say one hundred, then," the Prince
declared. "My mount against yours. So!"
He threw off his overcoat, and they saw for the first time that
he was dressed in English riding clothes of dark material, but
absolutely correct cut.
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