UPSET. 105 



what is there in the regiment to beat? " Banks 

 replies. 



" That's just the deuce of it — how to frame 

 the conditions so that Lorrimer or some of the 

 fellows doesn't borrow a brute for the occasion. 

 It requires to be thought about." 



" Then let's thiuk, for it's worth it," is the 

 answer; and the pair continue to pace the walk 

 till presently joined by Sir Thomas Aston, who 

 shares the deliberation. 



Sir Thomas is a man typical of a class that 

 seems to be little understood. A stout, robust, 

 round-faced, genial-looking personage, with a 

 hearty laugh and full-toned voice. Not knowing 

 him you would think he must be a capital good 

 fellow, a downright, straightforward, thorough 

 Englishman. He is a rich man, holds a good 

 position in his county^ has been in the House. 

 On further acquaintance you would discover, 

 probably to your cost, that he was as sharp as a 

 needle, utterly unscrupulous, loving trickery, and 

 something approaching very nearly to what 

 plain-spoken people call fraud, for the mere sake 

 of getting the best of those with whom he was 

 brought in contact. Sir Thomas's chief occupa- 

 tion was the turf, and if he could win a race and 

 put some of his friends in a hole at the same 

 time he was perfectly happy. 



