nderhanded, and he paid his
fellow-men a similar compliment. He had never counted the cost of
anything, for the simple reason that he had never been taught to. If he
wanted a thing he got it. If he couldn't pay for anything he simply owed
for it. When, from time to time, his creditors grew pressing, he gave
his lawyers instructions to raise another mortgage, and there, so far as
he was concerned, was an end of the whole transaction.

It does not take long, especially with two or three generations of
similar incapacity, seriously to embarrass even so fine an estate as
Haredale Park. The day came at length when Sir George was under the
painful necessity of facing the inevitable, when his worried lawyer told
him a few plain truths, and he realized that his income was barely
sufficient to live upon. Unfortunately, at this crisis, an occasional
run of luck on the turf had relieved the pressure, and it occurred to
Sir George as a brilliant idea that here was a source of permanent
income. Then luck ran steadily against him, as it always does sooner or
later, and at the time Sir George made the acquaintance of Copley he was
literally at his wits' end to know what to do.

It was a misfortune, though a disguised one, that Copley in his
headstrong way should fall in love with May Haredale. He had gone about
his wooing in characteristic fashion, and had recognized that, unless he
were in a position to force the pace, his suit was hopeless. Hence he
had helped Sir George, although he needed every penny he had for
himself. At that time Copley did not see his way to get it all back and
a great deal more. But now he had the consolation of knowing that he
would come out all right, whether May Haredale became his wife or not.

He was playing his game with wonted caution and cunning. In response to
Sir George's note, he pleaded some excuse, and on one pretext or other
kept clear of Haredale Park for the best part of a week. He knew how to
play his fish. He knew that delay was in his favour, and was not going
to spoil his triumph by undue haste.

Sir George was thoroughly frightened. The interview with Messrs.
Absalom's manager came in the light of a revelation to him. He realized
that he was in Copley's power, and that the latter could ruin him
whenever he chose. Not that he expected anything of the kind. He was of
far too sanguine a nature for that, and being a gentleman and a man of
honour he naturally believed the story that Copley