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Chapter Three.
Four People’s Skeletons
“Hi! You, Jane, what are you always listening at the door for?”
“So as to be ready to see you coming your games,” said the maid, laughing, “Ha, ha, ha! He thought it was his aunt, ketching him on the hop!”
“That I didn’t, old saucy one.”
“Yes, you did, and I’ve a good mind to tell her what a beauty you are – there!”
“Do; and I’ll tell her what I saw in the shrubbery last week. Mark my words; see if I don’t I will; mark my words.”
“You tell if you dare!” cried the maid, with flaming face.
“Oh, I dare.”
“But you won’t. You wouldn’t be such a coward. I say, going out?”
“Yes, I want some sandwiches – a good lot. And, look here, get uncle’s flask and half fill it with milk, and then fill it up with sherry.”
“What for? What are you going to do?”
“The May-fly’s up.”
“Up where?”
“Get out! Over the river. I’m going fishing.”
“Don’t believe you. You’re going to the races.”
“Sh!” the boy hissed, and looked sharply round.
“There, I knew it!” cried the girl. “I’ll tell her ladyship, and stop that.”
“Just you do. I’m going whipping the stream.”
“Don’t believe it. But she’ll be whipping you for a naughty boy.”
“Shrubbery and old Mark,” said the boy, thoughtfully, as if speaking to himself. “Wonder what sort of a pair the new parlourmaid and groom and valet would be?”
“Oh, you!” cried the girl, with scarlet face and flashing eyes, in which the tears began to rise, making her dart out of the room so that they should not be seen.
“Checkmate, Miss Dustpan!” said Sydney, with a chuckle. “What a sharp one she is, though. My word! I never liked old Trim before. He’s off on some game of his own. Artful old beast! He isn’t such a saint as he pretends. Can’t be going to the races, can he? No, not he; not in his line. Spree in London’s more in his way. A beast, though, to talk like that. Knows too much about such matters. I wish I could find out something, and get him under my thumb, as I have saucy Jenny. How the beggar made me jump!”
He glanced round at the vase he had nearly broken, then at the door, and directly after at the window, to which he ran and looked out, for there was the grating sound of wheels on the drive, but growing fainter and fainter.
“My word! Isn’t the old girl quick at putting on her hat and scarf! She’s safe for the day. Bravo, old Trimmer! Just when I was done up for an idea to slope off. Fish rising? Yes, I’ll rise ’em. Cookie’ll have hard work to fry all the trout I catch to-day. Phew! There goes another brake. Blow up, you beauty! Why, auntie would have just met them tittuping along. They must have scared the ponies into fits. She can’t half hold them.”
He turned from the window, listening the while, though, to the rattle of wheels and the trotting of horses down the road, and after a glance at the door, through which the little maid had passed, he drew a note from his pocket and began to spell it over in a low voice.
“‘My dear darling Syd’ – why, this is three days old. I didn’t notice it before – ‘Here’s nearly a week and you haven’t been to see me. Do come. I want to say something so particular. If you don’t come before, of course you’ll be at the races. I’ve got a new frock’ – frock without a k – ‘new frock for the occasion’ – Ha, ha! What a rum little gipsy she is! Put the k she dropped in frock into occasion – ‘I say, do tell your aunt and uncle all the truth’ – Likely! – ‘and then I can tell dear dad’ – Jigger dear dad! – ‘I feel so wicked. He must know soon.’ – What did she put two thick lines under that for? – ‘That’s all now, because the dressmaker’ – with only one s – ‘has come to try on my frock. I say, do tell your dear aunt. She’ll be awfully cross at first, but when she knows all – that’s all, dear. – Your affeckshunt for ever and ever, Lar Sylphide’ – Lar la – Yar! Yar! Tell auntie – phew! Talk about all the fat in the fire, and me with it. Uncle’s parlous state won’t be nothing to mine. Ugh!”
The boy jumped as if he had received a blow, and turned towards the window. For the door was opened suddenly and Jane reappeared.
“Not gone then, Impidence?”
“No, I’m not gone yet, Saucebox. Why don’t you tell my aunt?”
“Never you mind. What was that you were scuffling into your jacket pocket? Worms for fishing?”
“Of course.”
“Was it? I know better. I heered the paper crackle; it’s another letter for her.”
“What!” cried the boy, changing colour. “What her?”
“Her as you write to. I saw you scribbling, and watched you sneak off down to the village to post it.”
“You’re a wicked fibster, Jenny.”
“Oh, no, I’m not. What did you give the postman five shillings for?”
“I didn’t,” said the boy, flaring up.
“Yes, you did, and it was to bring letters for you on the sly, I shall write and inform the post-office people.”
“Yes, you do, and I’ll half kill you, and poison old Mark.”
“There! I knew it. Who is she?”
“You be off.”
“No, nor I shan’t be off neither. I believe it’s Dan Smart’s girl, who’s gone to London. Oh, my! what a wicked one you are, Master Syd, for such a boy. Your sangwidges is ready. Shall I bring ’em here?”
“Did you get the flask?”
“Yes.”
“And filled it with milk and sherry?”
“Yes, but you don’t deserve it, for threatening to get poor Mark the sack.”
“Then you shouldn’t threaten to tell tales.”
“I won’t, Master Syd, if you won’t.”
“All right, then, it’s a truce. Here, I must be off.”
“What, without your sangwidges and flask?”
“No; to get my fishing-rod.”
“Then you won’t tell?”
“Tell? No. Here, give us a kiss, Jenny.”
“Shan’t. They’re all for Mark.”
“Must,” cried the boy, seizing her round the waist.
“Pst! Someone coming.”
Syd dashed out of the window, and the girl began to move some of the breakfast things, but was interrupted by the entrance of a sharp-looking young groom with very closely-cut hair, and trousers so tight in the leg that the wonder was how he put them on and pulled them off.
“Oh, it’s you, is it, Mark?” said the girl, tartly.
“Me it is, Jenny. Think it was the boss?”
“Maybe. Here’s a pretty time of the morning to have breakfast things about.”
“Pretty time? Of course, it’s a pretty time. Eat when you’re hungry. When the guv’nor wants his corn he’ll come down to the sally-manger as they call it.”
“But look at the time!”
“Oh, hang the time! A man ain’t a locomotive, made to live up to a time-table. I believe her ladyship has a time for everything, down to sneezing and cleaning her teeth. It’s orful, that it is.”
“Ah! you’re a pretty pair.”
“We was in the old days, Jenny,” said the young man, with a smirk, “before we began to go off and look seedy, him with being married to her ladyship, and me pulled down, fretting about you.”
“Get along with your nonsense! I know. You were a pair of regular rackety rakes, and her ladyship has done wonders for Sir Hilton.”
“Well, ain’t you done wonders and improved me, dear? You know I ain’t like the same chap.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I sometimes feel I’m very stupid to think about you. You’re always talking about your old ramping, scamping days.”
“But there wasn’t any harm in ’em, Jenny. Only a bit of sport – a race here, a steeplechase there, and a turn at hunting in the winter. Ah! they was times, Jenny, my gal Reglar old English gentleman sort of life. Go to bed when you liked; get up when you liked. Breakfast in bed or out of it. None of your tea-and-toasting, but a hock and seltzer for a start; nice little devilled something after, and there you were, fit as a fiddle. None of your time-table life, like it is here.”
“Yes, you were a nice pair.”
“We were, Jenny, and we’re not to be sneezed at now; but you’re a bit hard on us, Jenny, both of you.”
“I’m too soft on you, Mark, and you know it.”
“Well – say sometimes, my dear; but you know you are orful nubbly now and then, and you say things to me that buzz in my ears like bluebottles in a stable window. I don’t grumble, but I’m sorry for the guv’nor, that I am.”
“Ah! he has a deal to grumble at. Wasted as good as three fortunes.”
“Woho, my lass! Steady there! Not wasted. Spent ’em like a noble English baronet, and he always had his money’s worth. Yes, we did.”
“We indeed! Wasted everything, he did, on the Turf, and then was sold up disgraceful. Just like a pore man might be.”
“Gently, my lass, gently!” cried Mark. “Sold up, and disgraceful? Nothing of the kind. The luck was again’ us, and we can’t quite meet our engagements; so we lets the things come to the hammer. Old Tat knocks ’em down to the highest bidder at High Park Corner, and we pays like gentlemen as far as the money goes. What more would you have till the luck turns and we pay up again?”
“Ah! you’re a nice pair. It was time you were both off the Turf. Neither of you ever cared.”
“Don’t say that, my lass. I cared a deal, and when I see my satin-skinned beauties knocked down – ”
“Your what?”
“’Osses, my gal, ’osses – the tears quite come in my eyes.”
“I dessay,” said Jenny, tartly. “I believe you think much more of a horse than you ever did about me.”
“Nay, you don’t, Jenny. You know better. Man’s love for a hoss ain’t the same as what he feels for his sweetheart. You know that. But a chap of the right sort as understands ’osses can’t help loving the beautiful pets. I don’t mind yer laughing at me. I quite cried when our La Sylphide was knocked down and I had to say good-bye to her. I don’t know what I should ha’ done if I hadn’t known she was going into good quarters with someone who’d love her. All right! It’s gallus weak, I suppose, but I did, and you may laugh.”
“I wasn’t laughing, Mark,” said the girl, holding out her hand. “I was only smiling at you. I like it. Shows your ’art’s in the right place.”
“Jenny!” And “business,” as theatrical people say.
“Now, don’t, Mark. That’ll do. Suppose Sir Hilton was to come?”
“Let him,” said the groom, sharply. “I ain’t ashamed of loving the dearest, sweetest little lass in the country, though she has got a sharp tongue that goes through me sometimes like a knife.”
“All the better for you, Master Mark. You want talking-to, for you’ve been a deal too wild.”
“Nay, nay, nay, Jenny; ’ossy, but never wild.”
“Let’s see,” said Jane, going on giving touches to the breakfast-table. “But stop a minute. What do you want here? Her ladyship wouldn’t like it if she caught you.”
“Ain’t she gone out?”
“Oh, yes, I forgot. Well, Sir Hilton’ll be down directly, and he’ll ask you why you’ve come.”
“No, he won’t. I shall have first word.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ask him if he wouldn’t like the ’orse put in the dogcart to run over to Tilborough.”
“What for?”
“To see the race, my gal.”
“What!”
“Our old mare La Sylphide’s going to run.”
“Our old mare indeed! Go to the race! Why, there’d be a regular eruption.”
“So there would; but I do wish the guv’nor would risk it this once.”
“He’d better! So that was the reason you come here, was it?”
“Well, partly, Jenny. You see, I thought I might get a minute with you alone.”
“I don’t believe it,” said Jane, frowning, but with eyes looking very bright. “You pretend and pretend, and yet all the time you’re sneaking off every chance you get over to Oakland.”
“Well, I do, my lass; I own to that.”
“There,” cried the girl, “and yet you have the impidence to talk to me.”
“Of course, you know why I go.”
“Yes; to see that showy lady’s maid that comes over to our church sometimes.”
“Tchah! I go over to the stables to have a look at La Sylphide. Oh, Jenny, she is a picture now.”
“Look here, Mark; ’pon your word, now, is that the truth?”
“Why, you dear, jealous, little darling, you know it is. Look here, Jenny; she runs to-day for the cup, and, with Josh Rowle up, it’s a certainty.”
“I know better than that, Mark. There’s no certainty in horse-racing.”
“Oh, yes, there is, if you’ve got the right mare and the man up who understands her, as Josh does, when he isn’t on the drink. The guv’nor and Josh Rowle are the only two men who can ride La Sylphide, and I tell you it’s a certainty. I’ve put the pot on this time.”
“What for?”
“Because I want it to boil.”
“What, to make a what-you-may-call-it – a mash for La Sylphide?”
“Na-a-a-y!” cried Mark. “What a dear, innocent, little darling you are, Jenny! We call it putting the pot on when we lay every dollar we can scrape together, and more too, on a horse winning.”
“And that’s what you’ve done?” said Jenny, quietly.
“That’s right, little one; every mag.”
“Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Mark.”
“What!” cried the young man in dismay.
“Didn’t you promise me that if I’d keep comp’ny with you, you’d give up all your old tricks you learnt with Master – Sir Hilton – and be steady?”
“And so I have been. Saved every penny, and thought of nothing but getting on for you.”
“Yes, it looks like it,” said the girl, sarcastically.
“Well, so it do. This is only a bit of a flutter.”
“Flutter, indeed!”
“And what’s it for?”
“To make a fool of yourself again, like your master.”
“Oh, is it?” said the young fellow, sturdily. “You know well enough that if I saved all my wages I couldn’t save enough to take a pub in twenty years. If La Sylphide passes the post first to-day she’ll land me enough to take a nice little roadside hotel, something like Sam Simpkins, the trainer at Tilborough, only not so big, of course; nice little place, where I can plant my wife behind the bar, and do a nice trade with visitors, somewhere down in the country where there’s waterfalls and mountains and lakes.”
“And that is why you’ve begun betting again, Mark?” said the girl, a little more softly.
“Yes, that’s what I meant, my gal, for I didn’t think you’d take it like that. Our mare – I mean Lady Tilborough’s – La Sylphide being a certainty. But if she loses, I shan’t go and marry some rich woman for the sake of her money.”
There was silence for a few moments, Mark turning a little away to take a pink out of his buttonhole and begin nibbling the stalk, and Jenny turning in the other direction so that her lover should not see a little sign of weakness in her eyes, which she strove hard to master, and so well that in a short time, when she spoke again, her voice sounded sharp and without a tremor.
“A pretty game, I’m sure, sir. Races indeed, and betting too! Sir Hilton had better take your precious dogcart and go La Sylphiding. You mark my words, if he does her ladyship will be sure to find it out, and then if she suspects you had anything to do with it you’ll get the sack.”
“Well, I don’t know as it matters much,” said the groom, drearily. “You don’t seem to understand a fellow, and it’s all wrong here, and it’s miserable to see the poor guv’nor so down in the mouth.”
“Down in the mouth indeed, after missus’s father found the money to pay all his debts, and four thousand pounds for him to go into Parliament as an M.P.”
“Tchah! Such nonsense! Our Sir Hilton ain’t going to give up the Turf and chuck hisself away like that.”
“Chuck hisself away?”
“Yes. Turn Jawkins. Him going to turn himself into a talking windmill, a-waving his arms about? Not he. But how come you to hear that?”
“Mr Trimmer told me.”
“Mr Trimmer! How come he to tell you?” said the young man, with his face growing dark.
“Oh, Mr Trimmer is very pleasant and friendly to me sometimes.”
“Oh, is he? Then he ain’t going to be, and so I tell him. A long, lanky, white-chokered imitation Methody parson, that’s what he is! What right has he got to be civil to you, I should like to know?”
“Well, I’m sure, sir,” cried the girl, whose eyes were sparkling with delight to see how her lover was moved, “I don’t know what her ladyship’s bailiff and agent and steward and confidential man would say – him, a real gentleman – if he heard what poor Sir Hilton’s groom and valet said.”
“Gentleman – confidential man! Why, he ain’t half a man, and he ain’t the good sanctified chap he pretends to be, and I’d tell him so to his face. Look here, Jenny; he may be her ladyship’s, but he ain’t going to be your confidential man. But there, I ain’t no right to say nothing, I suppose, and this about finishes it. Ladyship or no ladyship, whether the guv’nor comes or whether he don’t, I’m going over to Tilborough racecourse ’safternoon, and if La Sylphide don’t pull it off for me I shall make a hole in the water and leave it to cover me up.”
“Mark!” said Jenny, softly, with her eyes half closed. “Well?”
“I can’t help Mr Trimmer speaking civil to me when he comes to see her ladyship about the accounts.”
“Oh, no, of course not,” said the young man, sarcastically.
“I can’t really, Mark – dear. He always seems to me like one of those nasty evats that come down in the stone passage in damp weather, and just as they do when they’ve rubbed a little of the whitewash on to their throats.”
“Jenny!”
“Yes, Mark dear. I do hope La Sylphide will win.”
“Oh!”
“Ahem!”
Smart-looking, well-built, dapper little Sir Hilton Lisle, looking the beau-ideal of a horse-loving country gentleman, entered the breakfast-room.
Chapter Four.
The Tempter’s Call
Mark and Jane started apart, looking extremely guilty – of a loving kiss – but quite ready to make the best of things, the latter darting to the table to rearrange the position of a couple of forks, and Sir Hilton’s body-servant holding out a hand, palm upwards.
“Do look sharp, Jane,” he said, “and hurry up that hot coffee and the kidneys. I knew Sir Hilton would be down directly.”
“Mark!” said the baronet, sharply.
“Yes, Sir Hilton.”
“You know I don’t like humbug, eh?”
“Yes, Sir Hilton?”
“Jane, my girl, do you want to lose your place?”
“No, Sir Hilton. I’m very sorry, Sir Hilton – I – ”
“Let him kiss you?”
“Oh, Sir Hilton!”
“Don’t deny it! Saw more. You gave him one. Now, look here, both of you. You, Jane, are a very nice, respectable girl, and I like you. Mark, here, is a very good fellow, and if some time you two think of getting married, I don’t say I will not give you both a hundred pounds to start life with – ”
“Oh, Sir Hilton!”
“If I’ve got it. But no more of this. It looks bad, and is not respectful to your employers. You both know, I suppose, that if her ladyship saw half what I noted just now you would be dismissed, Jane, and I’m afraid, Mark, I should have to part with you.”
“I beg – ”
“That will do – not another word. Breakfast, Jane – quick, please.”
“Yes, Sir Hilton!” and Jane drew a breath full of relief, as she hurried through the door.
“Heigh – ho – ha – hum!” yawned the baronet, placing his hands in his pockets and looking down in a dreamy way at the breakfast-table. Then he took out and opened his hunting watch, and closed it with a snap.
“E-lev-en o’clock,” he said. “Her ladyship send for you, Mark?”
“Yes, Sir Hilton. Brought round the pony-carriage.”
“Oh! Gone out?”
“Yes, Sir Hilton.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“Morning’s paper, Sir Hilton,” said the man, obsequiously, as he drew a sporting-print from his pocket and held it out meaningly turned down at a particular spot.
“What’s that?” said the baronet, glancing at one line, and then, turning angrily, “Take it away!” he cried.
“Beg pardon, Sir Hilton. Tilborough first Summer Meeting.”
“Take it away!”
“Yes, sir; but La Sylphide.”
“Look here, Mark, my lad, no more of this. I know, of course, but take it away. Do you want to drive me mad?”
“Beg pardon, Sir Hilton. Then you won’t drive over in the dogcart?”
“What?”
“Just to see her pull it off, Sir Hilton.”
“Confound it, man! Hold your tongue! Be off!”
At that moment there were steps on the gravel, and directly after a peal arose from the door-bell.
“Go and see who that is, sir, and never mention anything connected with the Turf again. It’s dead to me, and I’m dead to it,” he muttered, as the man left the room, giving place to Jane, who hurried in with covered dishes upon a tray.
“Did you see who that was, Jane?”
“No, Sir Hilton. Some gentleman on horseback. His horse is hooked on one side of the gate.”
“Who the deuce can it be?”
“Dr Granton, sir,” said the groom, coming to the door.
“Oh! Where is he?”
“Study, sir.”
“Bring him in here.”
Sir Hilton looked quite transformed. There was a bright, alert look in his erstwhile dull eyes, and he seemed to pull himself together as he started actively from his chair, and made as if to hurry after his groom.
But he was too late, for the door reopened, and Mark showed in a handsome, dark, military-looking man of about five-and-thirty, who marched in, hunting-crop in hand, spurs jingling faintly at his heels, and dressed in faultless taste as a horseman.
“My dear old Jack!”
“Hilt, old boy!”
“This is a surprise. Here, Jane, another cover; the doctor will breakfast with me.”
“My dear fellow, I breakfasted at eight.”
“Never mind; have an eleven’s. Mouthful of corn then never hurt anyone. A chair here, Mark. That will do, my man.”
Mark backed out, with the half-grin, which had sprung up on seeing his master’s animation, dying out, and shaking his head, while the visitor turned the chair placed for him back to the table and bestrode it as if it were a horse.
“Whatever brings you down into this dismal region?”
“Dismal, eh?” said the visitor, glancing round, and then out of the window. “Races.”
“Humph!” ejaculated the baronet. “Yes; I heard they were to-day.”
“You heard? Aren’t you coming?”
“No, no. I’ve dropped all that sort of thing now.”
“Oh, yes, I forgot; and my manners, too. How is her ladyship?”
“Oh, well – very well, Jack,” said Sir Hilton, in a mournful way.
“That’s right, old chap. Well, trot her out.”
Sir Hilton frowned.
“I beg your pardon, old man. Presuming on old brotherly acquaintance. I shall be glad to see her, though.”
“Of course, my dear boy; but the fact is, she is out.”
“She is? Hang it all, then, I’ve come at the right time. Have a day off with me at Tilborough, and we’ll dine afterwards at the hotel. We can get a snack of something.”
“No, no; you misunderstand me. My wife is only having a morning drive in the pony chaise. A little business in the village.”
“Oh, I see; Lady Bountiful – district visiting – buying curtsies of the old women, and that sort of thing.”
“Yes – er – exactly.”
“Ah! I’ve heard that Lady Lisle does a deal in that way. Takes the chair at charity meetings, eh? Primrose Dame, too?”
“Who told you that?”
“Told me? Let’s see. Oh, it was Lady Tilborough.”
The conversation ceased for a minute or two while Jane entered with a tray, busied herself, and then departed, leaving the visitor quite ready to show that his eight o’clock breakfast was a thing of the past.
“I say, though,” he exclaimed, with his mouth half full, “I didn’t mean this. I’ve left my horse hitched on to the gate.”
Sir Hilton rose, stepped to the window, and returned.
“Not there. Mark would see to it, of course, and give it a feed in the stables.”
“That’s all right, then. Yes, Lady Tilborough was talking about you the other day.”
“Was she? What did she say?”
“Oh, not much. Only that it was a pity you had given up hunting and the Turf.”
The baronet sighed – almost groaned. “Anything else?”
“Well – er – no-o-o-o. Oh, yes; a little bit of badinage.”
“Eh? What about? Nothing spiteful? No, she wouldn’t. She’s a dear good creature, bless her!”
“Good boy! So she is – bless her!”
“Ah! I once thought when the old man died, that – ”
“Oh, did you? Well, you didn’t, and you’ve married well enough to satisfy any man.”
Sir Hilton sighed, and his visitor looked at him out of the corner of his eye.
“Come, old man, you don’t seem to care for your corn. You didn’t have a wet night?”
“Hot coppers this morning? My dear boy, no! Why, I lead as quiet a life as a curate now.”
“All the better for you.”
Sir Hilton sighed again.
“Then it’s true?” said the visitor, smiling.
“What’s true? What have you been hearing? Did Lady Tilborough say – ”
“Oh, nothing; only a bit of chaff about you.”
“Tell me what the widow said.”
“Oh, it was all good humouredly – a bit of her fun. You know what she is – wouldn’t hurt the feelings of a fly.”
“Yes, yes, I know; but she has been laughing at me. She has – ”
“Nonsense – nonsense! Don’t make your coat rough, old man. She only said it was a pity.”
“What was a pity?”
“That dear old Hilt should be ridden with his curb chain so tight – by George! I didn’t know how hungry I was.”
“Yes,” said Sir Hilton, sadly; “the curb is a bit too tight sometimes, Jack; but someone means well, and she has a right to be a bit firm. I always was a fool over money matters.”
“Nonsense, old fellow! You were a prince, only you were unlucky, and were obliged to make a clear up; but you’re all right again now.”
“Yes,” said the baronet, “I’m all right again now.” But his voice sounded very doleful.
“It was thirty thou’ a-year, wasn’t it – I mean, isn’t it?”
Sir Hilton nodded.
“She got the title and you got the tin. Quid pro quo!”
Sir Hilton nodded again, and then made a desperate effort to turn the conversation back upon his friend.
“Lady Lisle has always taken an interest in parish matters and the poor, and it pleases her. She would not, of course, like me to take an interest now in racing affairs.”
“Of course not – of course not, my dear boy,” said the visitor, helping himself to the marmalade left by Sydney.
“But what about you?”
“Me? Oh, I’m doing capitally,” was the reply, rather thickly uttered.
“Nonsense! I mean that affair. How do matters go with the widow?”
“Hah!” sighed the visitor, laying down his knife.
“Hallo! Not off, is it, old chap?”
“No, not off, Hilt, but I’m just where I was. Like the farmer over the claret, I don’t seem to get no furder.”
“Well, you must be a duffer, Jack.”
“I suppose I am, old man. Pluck enough in some things, but I’m afraid of her.”
“But haven’t you spoken?”
“No; I daren’t, for fear she should laugh at me, and the whole affair be quite off.”
“I say, Jack, you’re dead hit.”
“I am, old man – dead. Bless her! She’s an angel! But I’m afraid, after her experience with that old ruffian Tilborough, she has made up her mind never to run in double harness again.”
“Nonsense! Pluck up, old fellow; a woman likes a man to be manly, and if she accepted you – ”
“Ah, if Hilt, if.”
“She would, or I don’t know her. I should like to see it come off, for there wouldn’t be a better matched pair in England. Go in and win.”
“Well, hang me if I don’t! I’ve been playing a shilly-shally waiting game, and now I’ll come to the point. But I say, what’s this about you in the papers – election news?”
“Oh, it’s the wife’s wish. She won’t rest till I have ‘M.P.’ at the end of my name.”
“Good thing too. You’re getting mossy here. Go into Parliament, and it will soon be rubbed off. The poor dear lady is spoiling you. Too much apron-string. She’s stopped your racing and hunting, but you must do something. Go in and win your seat.”
“I don’t care much about it.”
“More fool you! Think of the chances it will give you of a little life. The House – there you are; an excuse for everything not quite in running order with the ideas of such a lady as madam. Club? Best in London. Late hours? Sitting till two, three, four, or milk-time.”
“Yes; I never gave that a thought.”
“An excuse for everything, dear boy, and your wife proud of you. Oh, I should enter for those stakes, certainly. It will cost you something, though.”
“I suppose so; but, between ourselves, Lady Lisle has placed four thou’ to my account for election expenses.”
“Brave little woman! The widow’s all wrong.”
“How! Why? What do you mean?”
“She said her ladyship kept the chequebook, and saw to the estate herself, only allowing you a little pocket-money when you were a good boy.”
“Tell Lady Tilborough to mind her own business, Jack,” said the baronet, tartly.
“My dear Hilt, I’d share my last fiver with you, or I’d back any of your paper with pleasure; but I’ll be hanged if I’ll do that I say, though, come on to the race to-day.”
Sir Hilton shook his head.
“Nonsense! Think of it. Your old filly, La Sylphide, first favourite. I saw her a week ago. Lovely! Lady Tilborough told me she wouldn’t take four times as much for her as she gave at your sale.”
“The beautiful gazelle-eyed creature!” sighed Sir Hilton.
“That she is.”
“Who is up?” said Sir Hilton.
“Josh Rowle, your old jock, of course. The widow told me that she wouldn’t – I mean the mare – let anyone else go near her.”
“Just like her, Jack. She had a temper, but she was like a kitten with me. Came ambling up the paddock when I whistled, and she’d rub her head against me for all the world like a cat, and fetch bits of carrot out of my pocket, or whinny for sugar. Ah! those were dear old days. Yes, she’ll pull it off for certain.”
“Come and see her run.”
“I couldn’t, old man. I couldn’t bear it. No, I’m entered for the House of Commons. Lady Lisle says I’m to be a – a Minister some day.”
“Bravo! Be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and keep the purse. But I say, do come. You must be hungry for a race after fasting so long.”
“I am, Jack, I am.”
“Come, then.”
“No; don’t ask me,” said the baronet; “my racing days are over.”
“And you’ve burnt your jockey cap and silk, the scarlet and blue stripe of the finest gentleman-rider of his day?”
“By Jove! no. I keep them, leathers, boots, whip, and all, in a locked-up drawer. My man, Mark, takes them out to set them up and worship sometimes.”
“Then you really won’t come?”
“No, Jack, I can’t. It would break my wife’s heart if I did, and she really is very fond of me.”
“Very well; I won’t press you, old man. But, I say, you think La Sylphide will win?”
“It’s a dead cert. Have you anything on?”
“All I’m worth, dear boy. Have you?”
“I? Nonsense! I haven’t made a bet these two years.”
“Then now’s your time.”
“No, no: I’ve done with that sort of thing.”
“But, personally, you are not flush of money, are you?”
“I? Never was so short in my life.”
The doctor laughed. “Seize the chance, then, to make a thou’ or two.”
“Impossible.”
“Nonsense! You say yourself the mare’s sure to win.”
“Bar accidents, she must.”
“Then make your game.”
“No; I have no money.”
“Why, you said just now that her ladyship had placed four thou’ to your credit in her bank.”
“For my electioneering exes.”
“Bosh! To use. Put on the pot and make it boil. Why, man, you could clear enough on the strength of that coin lying idle to set you up for a couple of years.”
“Ye-e-es,” said Sir Hilton, who began biting at his nails. “Might, mightn’t I?”
