not to say estrangement, which to the regret and sometimes the
perplexity of Egremont had gradually grown up between them.
Yet on no occasion was his presence less desired by our
friend. Morley was talking as Egremont entered with great
animation; in his hand a newspaper, on a paragraph contained
in which he was commenting. The name of Marney caught the ear
of Egremont who turned rather pale at the sound, and hesitated
on the threshold. The unembarrassed welcome of his friends
however re-assured him, and in a moment he even ventured to
enquire the subject of their conversation. Morley immediately
referring to the newspaper said, "This is what I have just
read--

"EXTRAORDINARY SPORT AT THE EARL OF MARNEY'S.

On Wednesday, in a small cover called the Horns, near Marney
Abbey, his grace the Duke of Fitz-Aquitaine, the Earl of
Marney, Colonel Rippe and Captain Grouse, with only four hours
shooting, bagged the extraordinary number of seven hundred and
thirty head of game, namely hares three hundred and
thirtynine; pheasants two hundred and twenty-one; partridges
thirtyfour; rabbits eighty-seven; and the following day
upwards of fifty hares, pheasants, &c., (wounded the previous
day) were picked up. Out of the four hours' shooting two of
the party were absent an hour and a-half, namely the Earl of
Marney and Captain Grouse, attending an agricultural meeting
in the neighbourhood; the noble earl with his usual
considerate condescension having kindly consented personally
to distribute the various prizes to the labourers whose good
conduct entitled them to the distinction."