bt that the horse's present condition was due entirely to
Tifto's care. Tifto spent in these few days just before the race the
greatest part of his time in the close vicinity of the horse, only
running up to London now and then, as a fish comes up to the surface,
for a breath of air. It was impossible that Lord Silverbridge should
separate himself from the Major,--at any rate till after the Epsom
meeting.

He had paid the money for the match without a word of reproach to his
partner, but still with a feeling that things were not quite as they
ought to be. In money matters his father had been liberal, but not
very definite. He had been told that he ought not to spend above two
thousand pounds a year, and had been reminded that there was a house
for him to use both in town and in the country. But he had been given
to understand also that any application made to Mr. Morton, if not
very unreasonable, would be attended with success. A solemn promise
had been exacted from him that he would have no dealings with
money-lenders;--and then he had been set afloat. There had been a
rather frequent correspondence with Mr. Morton, who had once or twice
submitted a total of the money paid on behalf of his correspondent.
Lord Silverbridge, who imagined himself to be anything but
extravagant, had wondered how the figures could mount up so rapidly.
But the money needed was always forthcoming, and the raising of
objections never seemed to be carried back beyond Mr. Morton. His
promise to his father about the money-lenders had been scrupulously
kept. As long as ready money can be made to be forthcoming without
any charge for interest, a young man must be very foolish who will
prefer to borrow it at twenty-five per cent.

Now had come the night before the Derby, and it must be acknowledged
that the young Lord was much fluttered by the greatness of the coming
struggle. Tifto, having seen his horse conveyed to Epsom, had come up
to London in order that he might dine with his partner and hear what
was being said about the race at the Beargarden. The party dining
there consisted of Silverbridge, Dolly Longstaff, Popplecourt, and
Tifto. Nidderdale was to have joined them, but he told them on the
day before, with a sigh, that domestic duties were too strong for
him. Lady Nidderdale,--or if not Lady Nidderdale herself, then Lady
Nidderdale's mother,--was so far potent over the young nobleman as to
induce him to confine his Derby jovialities to t