Mark, priest as he was, was quite worldly enough to be fond of a good horse; and for some little time allowed Lord Lufton to descant on the merit of this four-year-old filly, and that magnificent Rattlebones colt, out of a Mousetrap mare; but he had other things that lay heavy on his mind, and after bestowing half an hour on the stud, he contrived to get his friend away to the shrubbery walks. “So you have settled with Sowerby,” Robarts began by saying. “Settled with him; yes, but do you know the price?” “I believe that you have paid five thousand pounds.” “Yes, and about three before; and that in a matter in which I did not really owe one shilling. Whatever I do in future, I’ll keep out of Sowerby’s grip.” “But you don’t think he has been unfair to you.” “Mark, to tell you the truth I have banished the affair from my mind, and don’t wish to take it up again. My mother has paid the money to save the property, and of course I must pay her back. But I think I may promise that I will not have any more money dealings with Sowerby. I will not say that he is dishonest, but at any rate he is sharp.” “Well, Lufton; what will you say when I tell you that I have put my name to a bill for him, for four hundred pounds?” “Say; why I should say—; but you’re joking; a man in your position would never do such a thing.” “But I have done it.” Lord Lufton gave a long low whistle. “He asked me the last night that I was there, making a great favour of it, and declaring that no bill of his had ever yet been dishonoured.” Lord Lufton whistled again. “No bill of his dishonoured! Why the pocket-books of the Jews are stuffed full of his dishonoured papers! And you have really given him your name for four hundred pounds?” “I have certainly.” “At what date?” “Three months.” “And have you thought where you are to get the money?” “I know very well that I can’t get it; not at least by that time. The bankers must renew it for me, and I must pay it by degrees. That is, if Sowerby really does not take it up.” “It is just as likely that he will take up the national debt.” Robarts then told him about the projected marriage with Miss Dunstable, giving it as his opinion that the lady would probably accept the gentleman. “Not at all improbable,” said his lordship, “for Sowerby is an agreeable fellow; and if it be so, he will have all that he wants for life. But his creditors will gain nothing. The duke, who has his title-deeds, will doubtless get his money, and the estate will in fact belong to the wife. But the small fry, such as you, will not get a shilling.”