206 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



property adjoining the Amstead estate, and, having been 

 some weeks in the neighbourhood, know all about Mr. 

 Eaby. I think, sir," continued he, addressing himself to 

 our hero, " you are now the only son." 



" I am," replied Frank ; and, as he spoke, a deep flush 

 came over his face, at the same time that he stifled a sigh, 

 and avoided catching the eye of his friend Goodall. 



" Verv well, sir ; now what is the sum you are in want 

 of?" 



" Two thousand pounds." 



" Oh, sir," quoth Mr. Sharpe, " 'tis hardly worth while 

 going to parchment for such a sum as that ; suppose we 

 say five ? " 



'"Xo," replied Frank Raby; "I only want 2000 at 

 present." 



" And the security ? " 



" A post-obit." 



Mr. Sharpe first squeezed together his lips, hard enough 

 to have cracked a hazel-nut, and then, pouting them out 

 on a level with the end of his nose, looked exceedingly 

 wise " Post-obit ! Difficult to get money on post-obit 

 that is to say, on fair and easy terms ; would not annuity 

 be better?" 



" Xo," returned Frank, " annuity wont do ; I have only 

 an allowance from my father." 



" Well, sir, then we'll say no more on that subject. You 

 propose a bonus on the death of your father ? " 



" Yes, or my uncle." 



" Oh ! you have an uncle ? " 



" I have ; and as he has never been married, and is 

 nearly as old as my father, I have reason to believe I shall 

 inherit his property." 



" Ah, sir," said Mr. Sharpe, with a sigh, " two or three 

 young gentlemen I have had to deal with, have believed 

 the same thing of their uncles, but found their mistake 

 when they died. Old uncles are ticklish fellows to deal 

 with ; if you please, we will confine ourselves to your 

 father, whose estates I know are entailed on you. Have 

 you ever borrowed money before ? " 



" Xever ; unless it was a hundred or so, from a friend, 

 which I repaid." 



" Good, sir ; and what do you expect to be the bonus 

 upon the sum you propose to raise ? " 



" Let us hear what you have to say, Mr. Sharpe." 



