ch. I do not know whether he has troubled
you. If you are coming down to the House again I will walk with you."
Silverbridge of course had to go down to the House again, and they
started together. "That man did not trouble me, Silverbridge; but the
question is whether such an acquaintance must not be troublesome to
you."

"I'm not very proud of him, sir."

"But I think one ought to be proud of one's friends."

"He isn't my friend in that way at all."

"In what way then?"

"He understands racing."

"He is the partner of your pleasure then;--the man in whose society
you love to enjoy the recreation of the race-course."

"It is, sir, because he understands it."

"I thought that a gentleman on the turf would have a trainer for that
purpose;--not a companion. You mean to imply that you can save money
by leaguing yourself with Major Tifto?"

"No, sir,--indeed."

"If you associate with him, not for pleasure, then it surely must
be for profit. That you should do the former would be to me so
surprising that I must regard it as impossible. That you should do
the latter--is, I think, a reproach." This he said with no tone of
anger in his voice,--so gently that Silverbridge at first hardly
understood it. But gradually all that was meant came in upon him, and
he felt himself to be ashamed of himself.

"He is bad," he said at last.

"Whether he be bad I will not say; but I am sure that you can gain
nothing by his companionship."

"I will get rid of him," said Silverbridge, after a considerable
pause. "I cannot do so at once, but I will do it."

"It will be better, I think."

"Tregear has been telling me the same thing."

"Is he objectionable to Mr. Tregear?" asked the Duke.

"Oh yes. Tregear cannot bear him. You treated him a great deal better
than Tregear ever does."

"I do not deny that he is entitled to be treated well;--but so also
is your groom. Let us say no more about him. And so it is to be Mabel
Grex?"

"I did not say so, sir. How can I answer for her? Only it was so
pleasant for me to know that you would approve if it should come
off."

"Yes;--I will approve. When she has accepted you--"

"But I don't think she will."

"If she should, tell her that I will go to her at once. It will be
much to have a new daughter;--very much that you should have a wife.
Where would she like to live?"

"Oh, sir, we haven't got as far as that yet."

"I dare say not; I dare say not," said the Duke. "Gatherum is