A very cool stare was the only acknowledgment he deigned to return to this speech, while Mrs. Kennyfeck looked unutterable reproaches at her unhappy relative. “I call the present company to witness,” said Sir Harvey Upton, “that if Tom has to come to an untimely end, he has bequeathed to me his brown cob pony, Batter.” “I protest against the gift,” said Miss Kennyfeck; “Mr. Linton told me, if he were killed in the steeplechase on Tuesday next, I should have Batter.” “That was a special reservation, Miss Kennyfeck,” said the Chief Justice; “so that if his death did not occur in the manner specified, the deed or gift became null and void.” “I only know,” said Miss Meek, “that Mr. Linton said, as we came back from the hurdle-field,--'Remember, Batter is yours if--if--'” She hesitated and grew red, and then stopped speaking, in evident shame and confusion. “If what? Tell us the condition; you are bound to be candid,” said several voices together. “I'll tell _you_ but I'll not tell any one else,” said the young girl, turning to Lady Kilgoff; and at the same instant she whispered in her ear, “if I were to be married to Mr. Cashel.” “Well,” said her Ladyship, laughing, “and was the bribe sufficient?” “I should think not!” replied she, with a scornful toss of the head, as she walked back to her seat. “I winna say,” said Sir Andrew, “but I ha' a bit claim mysel to that bonnie snuff-box he ca'd a Louis-Quatorze; if ye mind, leddies, I asked him to mak' me a present o' it, and he replied, 'In my weell, Sir Andrew; I'll leave it ye in my weell.'” “I foresee there will be abundance of litigation,” said the Chief Justice, “for the claims are both numerous and conflicting.” “You 'll not be troubled with the next of kin, I believe,” said Lady Janet, in her most spiteful of voices. “I say, my Lord Chief Justice,” said Frobisher, “let me have a travelling opinion from you, on a legal point. Wouldn't Linton's heirs, or representatives, or whatever they 're called, be bound to 'book up' if Ramekin is beaten in the handicap?” “The law expressly declares such transactions without its pale, my Lord,” said the judge, rebukingly.