te
and Scarrowby at some future time; but Sir Harry might live for these
twenty years, and while Sir Harry lived he must be a slave. And then
he thought that upon the whole he liked Lucy Morton better than
Emily Hotspur. He could say what he chose to Lucy, and smoke in her
presence, own that he was fond of drink, and obtain some sympathy for
his "book" on the Derby. He began to feel already that he did not
like sermons from the girl of his heart.

But he had chosen this side now, and he must go on with the game.
It seemed certain to him that his debts would at any rate be paid.
He was not at all certain how matters might go in reference to
Mr. Walker, but if matters came to the worst the Baronet would
probably be willing to buy him off again with the promised income.
Nevertheless, he was not comfortable, and certainly did not shine at
Sir Harry's table. "Why she has loved him, what she has seen in him,
I cannot tell," said Sir Harry to his wife that night.

We must presume Sir Harry did not know how it is that the birds pair.

CHAPTER XXII.

GEORGE HOTSPUR YIELDS.

On the morning of Cousin George's fourth day at Humblethwaite, there
came a letter for Sir Harry. The post reached the Hall about an hour
before the time at which the family met for prayers, and the letters
were taken into Sir Harry's room. The special letter of which mention
is here made shall be given to the reader entire:--

----, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
24th Nov. 186--.

MY DEAR SIR HARRY HOTSPUR,--I have received your letter
in reference to Captain Hotspur's debts, and have also
received a letter from him, and a list of what he says he
owes. Of course there can be no difficulty in paying all
debts which he acknowledges, if you think proper to do so.
As far as I am able to judge at present, the amount would
be between twenty-five and thirty thousand pounds. I
should say nearer the former than the latter sum, did
I not know that the amount in such matters always goes
on increasing. You must also understand that I cannot
guarantee the correctness of this statement.

But I feel myself bound in my duty to go further
than this, even though it may be at the risk of your
displeasure. I presume from what you tell me that you are
contemplating a marriage between George Hotspur and your
daughter; and I now repeat to you, in the most solemn
words that I can use, my assurance that the marri