"If you're wishing you hadn't married me because you'd like to be doing this sort of thing," said Tony, "you can spare your regrets. This, my dear Doodles, is the rottenest show I ever saw in my life." "But it's a success." "Only because it's so devilish peculiar. If I walked down Bond Street in pajamas I should attract a certain amount of attention the first time I did it, but people would get used to it, and I should soon be forgotten. By the way, would you like to send round a card?" "No, no," said Dorothy. "I've seen quite enough of her from where we are." "Don't get bitter, Doodles. I don't know what's come over you lately. You seem to hate everything and everybody." That winter was a miserable one, because Tony took to baccarat again, and, having been accustomed to bet on the turf in large sums, he carried his methods to the tables with such recklessness that Dorothy, unable to stand the strain, left him in London and went down to Clare. She had a notion to kill herself out hunting, but even in this she was unsuccessful, for in February all the hunters, including Mignonette, were sold. Moreover, at the end of the month a valuer arrived with an authorization from Tony to complete the details for a forthcoming auction of the whole property as it stood, pictures and all. Dorothy hastened up to London and demanded what was the matter. "The matter is that I've got to sell Clare." "Sell Clare?" she repeated. "I suppose you mean mortgage it?" "Mortgage it? It's mortgaged already." "But you paid that off." "Yes, once. But you don't suppose that I've always got money handy?" he asked, petulantly. "Some damned firm has bought up all my bills; I'm being pressed all round; and the Jews won't lend me another farthing." "Then you must sell the horses." "The Derby winner? They're my only chance of keeping out of the bankruptcy court. They're all we have, Doodles." "You have Clare." "How can I pay the interest on the mortgages and live at Clare? Try to be a little reasonable. I've got a good offer, and the money will come in very handy for the final plunge." "You're mad." "All right. I'm mad." "But your mother?" "I've given Greenish notice to leave Cherrington Cottage and I'm reserving that from the sale." "But what will your mother live on?" "Oh, of course her jointure will be paid. Besides, I tell you that this season with Full Moon and Vanity Girl I simply can't go wrong. The mistake I made was playing baccarat with my ready cash." "Won't Houston help you?" "My dear Doodles, it's Houston who's going to buy Clare."