“Yes, my lord. There was certainly nothing wrong with her then; at least, nothing that I could see,” Alick answered. “And there is nothing your brother can see the matter now?” “Nothing.” “Then I will take her,” said his lordship; and Alick breathed a sigh of intense relief. “You shall have her the first thing on Monday morning,” he said, rising, “and the letter, too.” “What letter?” “My brother’s undertaking to return you the money, in case she prove unsound.” “No, I won’t have it,” was the reply. “I’ll run the chance of her.” “No, my lord, pray do not do that!” Alick entreated. “I am as sure as I can be of anything her sight is affected. If you will take her for the six months, and pay my brother for her now, as he really wants the money, I shall be very grateful; but I would rather repay you myself than think hereafter you had bought a useless animal from us.” “And pray, how the deuce should you propose to repay me yourself?” inquired Lord Kemms. But the words had scarcely passed his lips before he repented having uttered them. “I hope not to remain a burden on my brother _all_ my life,” answered the lad in a low tone, with his cheeks aflame, but with eyes boldly looking his questioner in the face. “My boy,” said the nobleman, kindly laying his hand on Alick’s shoulder, “that is three times in one interview you have rebuked me. I am sorry to have pained you, and I beg your pardon for my thoughtlessness. Tell your brother he could not have chosen a better messenger. I will take Nellie, and, when you have made your fortune, we can talk about repayment, if she turn out badly.” “Thank you, my lord.” The boy’s heart was very full, and he could not say another word. Silently he moved towards the door, Lord Kemms following him. “What are you going to be?” inquired the nobleman, as they stood together on the threshold. “A merchant, if I am fortunate enough ever to rise higher than a clerk.” “Do you think you will like business better than farming?” “I mean to try and like anything which offers me a chance of getting on in the world,” was the reply. “Then I hope you may get on, and that I shall some day see you rich and prosperous, a millionnaire. It is possible; in this house, it is scarcely needful for me to tell you, all things are, humanly speaking, possible.” And with that Lord Kemms held out his hand, which Alick could have kissed for very gratitude. “I will call at Berrie Down on Monday,” said his lordship, when Alick had passed through the open hall door. Having announced which intention, he returned to the dining-room, where he reported the gist of the conversation to Mr. Raidsford. “The greatest kindness you could have done Squire Dudley would have been to take him at his word,” was Mr. Raidsford’s practical comment on the affair. “Perhaps so; but I could not afford to be less honest and honourable than they,” Lord Kemms answered.