The excitement at this moment became intense, but his Lordship's horse began to drop behind, while the other two were neck and neck coming to the last leap, which was a foot higher than the rest.
Both horses were in the air at the same time, when the Captain's horse struck heavy, fell on his head, breaking his neck, pitching his rider some yards before him on his shoulder, and Charlie came in a winner amidst deafening cheers.
Lord Lundy's horse refused the last leap, and was not persevered with.
At the final struggle, when the two leading horses were coming to the last leap, Bella McKay, who was leaning on Mr. Stuart's arm, became excited and alarmed that some accident would happen, her eyes became dim, and seeing a horse and rider coming to earth, she gave a faint scream and fell insensible in her supporter's arms.
On recovering, she asked feebly "Is he safe? Is Charlie hurt?" Her kind friend assured her that it was not Charlie but the Captain who had fallen; but not seriously hurt, although his noble horse was past recovery.
The blushing girl, who thus unconsciously betrayed herself to her neighbour, stammered out some unintelligible thanks that no one was hurt.
When order was restored, a groom appeared leading the beautiful pony, and Mr. McKay, in presenting it to Charlie, expressed himself as follows:—"I have great pleasure in presenting this handsome and valuable prize to my young and promising neighbour, which he has so gallantly won against such noble competitors, and trust at the same time that he will adhere to the rules of the games by presenting it to the lady of his choice, among the beauty and brilliancy of our fair assembly."
The young man received his prize, and modestly raised his eyes to the balcony, where a great deal of whispering and blushing was going on, each wishing to be the fortunate recipient of such a valuable gift from so handsome and accomplished a donor.
Charlie mustered sufficient courage to address himself in the following words:—"Not deigning to flatter myself with the vain idea that my gift, however valuable,
