"Seen our beauty?" said Lady Tilborough. "Yes; I've been to look. She's in splendid form." "Thank you, old man; that does me good." "A bit too fine, though," continued Sir Hilton, who had been watching the trainer narrowly, and seeing his state and guessing the cause, felt a little compassionate. "What do you say, Sam?" "Well, Sir Hilton, if you ask me, I say I haven't had her training lately, but I'll give you, an old patron, my honest opinion--not a bit, sir--and if you'll take my advice you'll play a quiet game with the mare. That's the winning card." "Nonsense!" cried Sir Hilton, contemptuously. "Just listen to him, my lady. Here has he been out of the game all this time, while I've been watching La Sylphide's work at every race. I asks you, my lady, Is there anyone as knows the mare's action, temper and staying powers better than me?" "He's right there, Hilt," said Lady Tilborough. "To some extent, yes," said the gentleman addressed. "Thank ye, Sir Hilton. Then look here; nobody would like to see you come first past the post more than your old trainer." "Would you, Sam?" said Sir Hilton, with a queer look at the speaker. "All right, Sir Hilton. I understand yer alloosion. I may've got a bit on Jim Crow, consequent upon the misfortune to Josh Rowle; but," he continued, closing one eye meaningly, "I can put that right easy. You win the race, Sir Hilton, and I'll make a pot of money by it. I know the ropes." "You do, Sam," said the baronet, laughing. "And I'm glad of the charnsh to do a good turn to a couple o' noble patrons who have put many a hundred into my pocket. Look here, Sir Hilton, there's plenty of time yet. I am at your service. Just you take me to the mare, and let me have a few minutes with her." "The mare is not my property, Sam," said Sir Hilton, laughing. "Of course not, Sir Hilton. I forgot. What do you say, my lady? That there Jim Crow's a good horse, and La Sylphide hasn't the wind she had." "Indeed!" said Lady Tilborough. "It's a fact, my lady. What she wants is holding in and a waiting game, _and_ just something as--you know, Sir Hilton--for the roosh at the last, as'll take her in a couple o' lengths ahead." "Yes, I understand," said Sir Hilton, drily. "You hear, my lady? I want you to win." "Thank you, Simpkins," said Lady Tilborough, gravely. "I am greatly obliged." "And I'm to just take the mare in hand for you," said the man, who, in his excitement, could not restrain his eagerness. "Well, no, thank you, Simpkins," said the lady, quietly. "You were always a very good trainer, and I made a good deal of money in the past, but I have a very trustworthy man now, and he might object to your interference at the eleventh hour." "Oh, I could soon make it right with him, my lady," said the trainer, quickly. "No doubt, Sam Simpkins," said the lady, meaningly, "but I should be sorry to have my man's morals assailed." "I don't understand you, my lady."