236 THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



sum of five hundred thousand pounds, which said sum would, 

 His Grace thought, be of infinite service in renovating the 

 somewhat shattered fortunes of the Lords of Haughtyshire. 



" I shall, if you wish it, sir, still continue to manage the 

 estate," said Lord Gravity. " It is part of my life now, and I 

 should not like to give it up." 



" Thanks, dear boy, a thousand thanks. I don't know what 

 on earth I should do without you. Now, I should like to make 



you a very handsome wedding present, and " but the 



Duke stopped short as he noticed the old action of his son's 

 hands stealing into his trousers pockets, and the old, half- 

 negative shake of the head. 



" I'm very sorry, father, but I can't, I really ca>i't spare you 

 money enough for anything of that sort. The estate won't 

 stand it. You see, there'll be the whole of the Broughton 

 farm to " 



"Oh, d — n the details," broke in the Duke hastily. 

 " But, by Jove ! if I have to sell my horses, you sJiall have a 

 wedding present, and a thumping good one, my boy." 



And thus was settled what, under other and less favourable 

 circumstances, might have been a cause of terrible trouble 

 between these two. On the day following, the fact that there 

 would soon be a double wedding, and that the Castle would 

 supply the two 'grooms,' became public property. 



