stretching his youthful arms over
the Major's face, and kicking his sister's knees as she sate opposite
to him. When the amiable youth was quite restored to consciousness, he
began a sprightly conversation.

"I say, Ma," he said, "I've gone and done it this time, I have."

"What have you gone and done, Franky dear?" asked Mamma.

"How much is seventeen half-crowns? Two pound and half-a crown, ain't
it? I drew Borax in our lottery, but I bought Podasokus and Man-milliner
of Leggat minor for two open tarts and a bottle of ginger-beer."

"You little wicked gambling creature, how dare you begin so soon?" cried
Miss Amory.

"Hold your tongue, if you please. Who ever asked your leave, miss?" the
brother said. "And I say, Ma----"

"Well, Franky dear?"

"You'll tip me all the same, you know, when I go back----" and here he
broke out into a laugh. "I say, Ma, shall I tell you something?"

The Begum expressed her desire to hear this something, and her son and
heir continued:

"When me and Strong was down at the grand stand after the race, and I
was talking to Leggat minor, who was there with his governor, I saw Pa
look as savage as a bear. And I say, Ma, Leggat minor told me that
he heard his governor say that Pa had lost seven thousand backing the
favourite. I'll never back the favourite when I'm of age. No, no--hang
me if I do: leave me alone, Strong, will you?"

"Captain Strong! Captain Strong! is this true?" cried out the
unfortunate Begum. "Has Sir Francis been betting again? He promised me
he wouldn't. He gave me his word of honour he wouldn't."

Strong, from his place on the box, had overheard the end of young
Clavering's communication, and was trying in vain to stop his unlucky
tongue.

"I'm afraid it's true, ma'am," he said, turning round, "I deplore the
loss as much as you can. He promised me as he promised you; but the play
is too strong for him! he can't refrain from it."

Lady Clavering at this sad news burst into a fit of tears. She deplored
her wretched fate as the most miserable of women, she declared she would
separate, and pay no more debts for the ungrateful man. She narrated
with tearful volubility a score of stories only too authentic, which
showed how her husband had deceived, and how constantly she had
befriended him: and in this melancholy condition, whilst young Hopeful
was thinking about the two guineas which he himself had won; and the
Major revolving, in his darkened mind, whether cert