364 THE MASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



ing the entry in his book, "is my bet with Martingale, who 

 offered it freely round the table — seven to one against Mangle 

 and Co." 



The lawyer looked aghast at this damnatory opinion of his 

 ease, and inquired how it was possible gentlemen on the turf 

 could know anything of matters so entirely out of their pro- 

 vince. 



" We bet on every event, anything, everything that is dis- 

 cussed at the club," replied Lord Henry; "and we have fellows 

 well paid, besides jockeys and trainers, to give us the information 

 we require. You are in the market now, and the odds are 

 increasing against you every day ; first three, then five, now 

 seven ; and to-night, they say, ten to one will be offered on the 

 heiress winning in a canter." 



" Really, my lord, this is too bad." 



" You can't help yourself, my worthy friend," replied Lord 

 Henry ; " but now I will make you an offer of thirty thousand 

 pounds for your chance, money down." 



" Indeed, my lord, we could not accept such a trifling sum." 



" A fair offer, Mangle, well calculated, taking Chancery 

 suit and all into account, with heavy damages to the losing 

 party." 



" To-morrow I shall offer only twenty," putting on his hat. 

 " Is it a bargain or not 1 can't wait any longer." 



" I will report your proposal to my client," replied Mr. 

 Mangle, musing, "and you shall know his opinion to-morrow 

 ■evening, say at four o'clock, if you call here." 



We must now go back to see what has passed in Upper 

 Brook Street, after Beauchamp's departure the preceding day. 

 Mr. Harcourt, on repairing to the drawing-room, was interro- 

 gated by his spouse as to the purport of Lord Ayrshire's and 

 Beauchamp's visit, who, having given a full explanation of his 

 transactions with them, said exultingly, " Well, my dear, don't 

 you think I have made a capital bargain, in getting rid of this 

 responsibility on such easy terms ?" 



" By making a fool of the marquis, Mr. Har court." 



" Oh, no, my dear ; he has made a fool of himself by offering 

 a second time, when I told him he had little chance of success. 

 But it is quite a different affair with Beauchamp ; there the 

 thing is settled off at once, and I am now relieved from a load 

 of care and apprehension." 



• " And the man I disliked above all others recognised as my 

 niece's accepted husband, Mr. Harcourt ; very complimentary, 



