been mad. I can't go to the course
without being found out, and if I could it's too late--too late--too
late!

"But is it?" he said, after a few minutes' restless walk like that of
the lone wolf up and down its cage at the Zoo.

"Oh, yes," he groaned; "Jack was always like lightning at planking down.
He'd ride straight away and get every penny on. There, I'm getting in
a regular fever. Out of training. I never used to worry when I stood
to lose five times as much, and I won't worry now. I won't think I
stand to lose four thou', but only that I stand to win forty, as I must,
for with Josh Rowle up, the Sylphide must win in a canter. There's
nothing been foaled yet that can touch her in these little races.
There, Laura's out, and I'll have a cigar and calm down. Forty thou'!
Shell never know--at least, I hope not, and, it will make me independent
for a bit. But I won't do it any more. It would be tempting fortune;
but with that extra in the bank I can stand my ground a little. Laura's
a dear good woman, but too straight-laced. There's too much of this
parish twaddle and charity-mongering. She's quite insane upon such
matters, and with the independence that money will give me I can afford
to stand up for myself. She talks about weaning me, and I've given up
the hunting and the racecourse to humour her, so now she must drop some
of her fads to favour me. We shall be a deal happier then."

He dropped into a chair, feeling easier in his mind, and went on musing.

"Yes," he said, "there's a lot a fellow ought to do, and the first thing
after settling day I mean to attack this stewardship business. I'm
about sick of that long, lean, lizardly humbug Trimmer. Hang his white
choker and sanctified ways! He's a wolf in sheep's clothing, I'll
swear. A hypocritical rascal! I'll swear I saw him leering at our
pretty Jane, but if I told Laura she'd take his part. Ha, ha, ha!
Capital!" he said half-aloud, as he indulged in a hearty fit of
chuckling. "What a splendid idea. I can't quite see my way, but Mark's
dead on the little lassie, and if I'm right and the lad can be
enlightened, my word, I should like to see the fun! Judging by the way
Mark can handle his fives, and the fire such a notion would give him, I
shouldn't like to be in Master Trimmer's shoes, to wear the phiz he
would have when the lad had done with him. Yes, that would settle
Master Trimmer, if, of course, I am right, and he is the confounded
m