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way； and did certainly testify that he was not altogether lacking
either in imagination or good…heartedness。 But it was over and
overlaid with the public…school habitthat peculiar； extraordinarily
English habit； so powerful and beguiling that it becomes a second
nature stronger than the firstof relating everything in the
Universe to the standards and prejudices of a single class。 Since
practically all his intimate associates were immersed in it； he was
naturally not in the least conscious of this habit； indeed there was
nothing he deprecated so much in politics as the narrow and
prejudiced outlook； such as he had observed in the Nonconformist； or
labour politician。 He would never have admitted for a moment that
certain doors had been banged…to at his birth； bolted when he went to
Eton； and padlocked at Cambridge。 No one would have denied that
there was much that was valuable in his standardsa high level of
honesty； candour； sportsmanship； personal cleanliness； and self…
reliance； together with a dislike of such cruelty as had been
officially （so to speak） recognized as cruelty； and a sense of public
service to a State run by and for the public schools； but it would
have required far more originality than he possessed ever to look at
Life from any other point of view than that from which he had been
born and bred to watch Her。 To fully understand harbinger； one must；
and with unprejudiced eyes and brain； have attended one of those
great cricket matches in which he had figured conspicuously as a boy；
and looking down from some high impartial spot have watched the
ground at lunch time covered from rope to rope and stand to stand
with a marvellous swarm； all walking in precisely the same manner；
with precisely the same expression on their faces； under precisely
the same hatsa swarm enshrining the greatest identity of； creed and
habit ever known since the world began。 No； his environment had not
been favourable to originality。 Moreover he was naturally rapid
rather than deep； and life hardly ever left him alone or left him
silent。 Brought into contact day and night with people to whom
politics were more or less a game； run after everywhere； subjected to
no form of disciplineit was a wonder that he was as serious as he
was。 Nor had he ever been in love； until； last year； during her
first season； Barbara had； as he might have expressed itin the case
of another 'bowled him middle stump。 Though so deeply smitten； he。
had not yet asked her to marry himhad not； as it were； had time；
nor perhaps quite the courage； or conviction。 When he was near her；
it seemed impossible that he could go on longer without knowing his
fate； when he was away from her it was almost a relief； because there
were so many things to be done and said； and so little time to do or
say them in。 But now； during this fortnight； which； for her sake； he
had devoted to Miltoun's cause； his feeling had advanced beyond the
point of comfort。
He did not admit that the reason of this uneasiness was Courtier；
for； after all； Courtier was； in a sense； nobody； and 'an extremist'
into the bargain； and an extremist always affected the centre of
Harbinger's anatomy； causing it to give off a peculiar smile and tone
of voice。 Nevertheless； his eyes； whenever they fell on that
sanguine； steady； ironic face； shone with a sort of cold inquiry； or
were even darkened by the shade of fear。 They met seldom； it is
true； for most of his day was spent in motoring and speaking； and
most of Courtier's in writing and riding； his leg being still too
weak for walking。 But once or twice in the smoking room late at
night； he had embarked on some bantering discussion with the champion
of lost causes； and very soon an ill…concealed impatience had crept
into his voice。 Why a man should waste his time； flogging dead。
horses on a journey to the moon； was incomprehensible！ Facts were
facts； human nature would never be anything but human nature！ And it
was peculiarly galling to see in Courtier's eye a gleam； to catch in
his voice a tone； as if he were thinking： 〃My young friend； your soup
is cold！〃
On a morning after one of these encounters； seeing Barbara sally
forth in riding clothes； he asked if he too might go round the
stables； and started forth beside her； unwontedly silent； with an odd
feeling about his heart； and his throat unaccountably dry。
The stables at Monkland Court were as large as many country houses。
Accommodating thirty horses； they were at present occupied by twenty…
one； including the pony of little Ann。 For height； perfection of
lighting； gloss； shine； and purity of atmosphere they were unequalled
in the county。 It seemed indeed impossible that any horse could ever
so far forget himself in such a place as to remember that he was a
horse。 Every morning a little bin of carrots； apples； and lumps of
sugar； was set close to the main entrance； ready for those who might
desire to feed the dear inhabitants。
Reined up to a brass ring on either side of their stalls with their
noses towards the doors； they were always on view from nine to ten；
and would stand with their necks arched； ears pricked； and coats
gleaming； wondering about things； soothed by the faint hissing of the
still busy grooms； and ready to move their noses up and down the
moment they saw someone enter。
In a large loose…box at the end of the north wing Barbara's favourite
chestnut hunter； all but one saving sixteenth of whom had been
entered in the stud book； having heard her footstep； was standing
quite still with his neck turned。 He had been crumping up an apple
placed amongst his feed； and his senses struggled between the
lingering flavour of that delicacy；and the perception of a sound
with which he connected carrots。 When she unlatched his door； and
said 〃Hal；〃 he at once went towards his manger； to show his
independence； but when she said： 〃Oh！ very well！〃 he turned round and
came towards her。 His eyes； which were full and of a soft
brilliance； under thick chestnut lashes； explored her all over。
Perceiving that her carrots were not in front； he elongated his neck；
let his nose stray round her waist； and gave her gauntletted hand a
nip with his lips。 Not tasting carrot； he withdrew his nose； and
snuffled。 Then stepping carefully so as not to tread on her foot； he
bunted her gently with his shoulder； till with a quick manoeuvre he
got behind her and breathed low and long on her neck。 Even this did
not smell of carrots； and putting his muzzle over her shoulder
against her cheek； he slobbered a very little。 A carrot appeared
about the level of her waist； and hanging his head over； he tried to
reach it。 Feeling it all firm and soft under his chin； he snuffled
again； and gave her a gentle dig with his knee。 But still unable to
reach the carrot； he threw his head up； withdrew； and pretended not
to see her。 And suddenly he felt two long substances round his neck；
and something soft against his nose。 He suffered this in silence；
laying his ears back。 The softness began puffing on his muzzle。
Pricking his ears again； he puffed back a little harder； with more
curiosity； and the softness was