ear 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?"

"Of course. Why, you would be mad to miss the chance."

"It does sound tempting."

"Tempting? Of course. It isn't as if there was any gambling in it."

"Exactly. There would be no gambling in it?"

"Of course not. If it were some horse whose character you did not know,
it would be different. Bu