“You are going to ride for me, Trafford?” said Sewell, as the other entered his dressing-room, where, with the aid of his servant, he was busily packing up for the road. “I 'm not sure; that is, I don't like to refuse, and I don't see how to accept.” “My wife has told you; I 'm sent for hurriedly.” “Yes.” “Well?” said he, looking round at him from his task. “Just as I have told you already; I 'd ride for you as well as a heavy fellow could take a light-weight's place, but I don't understand about your book--am I to stand your engagements?” “You mean, are you to win all the money I'm sure to pocket on the match?” “No, I don't mean that,” said he, laughing; “I never thought of trading on another man's brains; I simply meant, am I to be responsible for the losses?” “If you ride Crescy as you ought to ride him, you needn't fret about the losses?” “But suppose that I do not--and the case is a very possible one--that, not knowing your horse--” “Take this portmanteau down, Bob, and the carpet-bag; I shall only lose my train,” said Sewell, with a gesture of hot impatience; and as the servant left the room, he added: “Pray don't think any more about this stupid race; scratch Crescy, and tell my wife that it was a change of mind on “my” part,--that I did not wish you to ride; good-bye;” and he waved a hasty adieu with his hand, as though to dismiss him at once. “If you 'll let me ride for you, I 'll do my best,” blundered out Trafford; “when I spoke of your engagements, it was only to prepare you for what perhaps you were not aware of, that I 'm not very well off just now, and that if anything like a heavy sum--” “You are a most cautious fellow; I only wonder how you ever did get into a difficulty; but I 'm not the man to lead you astray, and wreck such splendid principles; adieu!” “I 'll ride, let it end how it may!” said Trafiford, angrily, and left the room at once, and hurried downstairs. Sewell gave a parting look at himself in the glass; and as he set his hat jauntily on one side, said, “There 's nothing like a little mock indignation to bully fellows of _his_ stamp; the keynote of their natures is the dread of being thought mean, and particularly of being thought mean by a woman.” He laughed pleasantly at this conceit, and went on his way. CHAPTER XXXI. SEWELL ARRIVES IN DUBLIN It was late at night when Sewell reached town. An accidental delay to the train deferred the arrival for upwards of an hour after the usual time; and when he reached the Priory, the house was all closed for the night, and not a light to be seen. He knocked, however, and rang boldly; and after a brief delay, and considerable noise of unbolting and unbarring, was admitted. “We gave you up, sir, after twelve o'clock,” said the butler, half reproachfully, “and his Lordship ordered the servants to bed. Miss Lendrick, however, is in her drawing-room still.” “Is there anything to eat, my good friend? That is what I stand most in need of just now.”