“He means it right enough. I believe it would puzzle him to find it.”
“Do you say so? Why, ’tis impossible man! Tracy was in town scarce a fortnight since, and he had a run of the devil’s own luck. I tell you Dick, I saw him walk off with a cool five thousand one night! And then he denies me a paltry three! Lord, what a brother! And all with the air of an angel, as if he had never lost at dice. And a homily thrown in! Anyone would think I had cheated, instead of—ahem! … Dick, I’m confoundedly sorry! Damned thoughtless of me—never thought about Jo—about what I was saying—I’m a fool!” For Richard had winced.
“You cannot help that,” he said, forcing a laugh. “Have done with your apologies, and continue.”
They had come to the stream by now, and crossed the little bridge into the wood.
“Oh, there’s not much more. ’Tis only that something must be done, for Carew won’t wait, and stap me if I’d ask him, the lean-faced scarecrow!—so I came to you, Dick.”
He let go Richard’s arm and flung himself down on a fallen tree-trunk, regardless of velvet and laces.
“You’re a good fellow, and you don’t lecture a man as Tracy does, devil take him! And you play high yourself, or you did, though ’tis an age since I saw you win or lose enough to wink at. And, after all, you’re Lavvy’s husband, and—oh, damn it all, Dick, ’tis monstrous hard to ask you!”
Carstares, leaning against a tree, surveyed the youthful rake amusedly.
“ ’Tush, Andrew!” he reassured him. “You’re welcome to ask, but the Lord knows where I’m to find it! Gad, what a life! Here’s Lavinia keeps buying silks, and I don’t know what all, and—”
“She was ever a spendthrift jade,” said Andrew with a mighty frown.
Richard laughed at him.
“You’re a thrifty fellow yourself, of course!”
Andrew looked round for something to throw at him, and finding nothing, relapsed once more into deepest despondency.
“You’re in the right of’t. We’re a worthless lot. ’Tis the old man’s blood in us, I doubt not, with a smattering of her Grace. You never knew my mother, Richard. She was French—Lavvy’s the spit of her. There’s Tracy—stap me, but Tracy’s the very devil! Have you ever seen a face like his? No, I’ll swear you’ve not! What with his sneering mouth and his green eyes—oh, ’tis enough to make a fellow go to the dogs to have a brother like it, ’pon my soul it is! Ay, you laugh, but I tell you ’tis serious!”
“Ay, go on!”
“Well next there’s Bob—damn it all, but I’m sorry for Bob! ’Tis a beggarly pittance they give one in the army, and he was never one to pinch and scrape. Well, as I say, there’s Bob, and I never see him, but what it’s: ‘Lend me a hundred, Andy!’ or the like. And all to buy his mistress some gewgaw. That’s what sickens me! Why, Bob’s forever in some scrape with a petticoat, and as for Tracy! Gad, how they can! Then there’s Lavinia, but I should think you know her by now, and lastly, there’s your humble servant. And I tell you, Dick, what with the racing, and the cards, and the bottle, I shall be a ruined man before you can turn round! And the pother is I’ll never be any different. ’Tis in the blood, so where’s the use in trying?” He made a rueful grimace, and rose. “Come on, young rip! We’re going back.”
John, engaged in the task of hunting for tadpoles in the water some yards distant, nodded and ran on.
“I fear my lady is indisposed,” said Richard hesitatingly. “You wished to see her?”
Andrew winked knowingly.
“Tantrums, eh? Oh, I know her. No, I do not care an I do not see her; ’tis little enough she cares for me, though she’s as thick as thieves with Tracy—oh, ay, I’ll be dumb.”
They walked slowly back to the house, Andrew, silent for once, twirling his gold-mounted cane.
“You shall have the money, of course. When do you want it?” said Richard presently.
“ ’Pon honour, you’re a devilish good fellow, Dick! But if ’tis like to put you to any—”
“Nonsense. When do you need it?”
“I should pay Carew as soon as may be. Markham can wait over if—”
“No, no! Wednesday?”
“ ’Twill do excellently well. Dick, you’re a—”
“Oh, pshaw! ’Tis nought. I want your opinion on the bay mare I bought last week. You’ll maybe think her a trifle long in the leg, but she’s a fine animal.”
John had run indoors, and the two men proceeded to the stables alone, Andrew discoursing all the way, recounting for his brother-in-law’s benefit the choicest morsels of scandal that were circulating town at the moment. That his auditor but attended with half an ear affected him not at all; he never paused for an answer, and, in any case, was far too good-natured to care if he received none.
By the time they had duly inspected the mare and walked back to the house, it was nearly four o’clock, and, not altogether to Carstares’ surprise, Lavinia was awaiting them on the terrace, clad in a totally different gown, and with her hair freshly arranged and curled.
“ ’Twould appear that Lavinia has recovered,” remarked Andrew as they mounted the steps. “She was ever thus—not two minutes the same. Well, Lavvy?”
“Well, Andrew?” She gave him a careless hand to kiss, but smiled sweetly up at her husband. “My headache is so much better,” she told him, “and they said that Andrew was come to see you. So I came downstairs.” She turned eagerly to her brother. “Tell me, Andrew, is Tracy at home?”
“Lord, yes! He arrived yesterday, devil take him! Do you want him?”
“Oh, yes,” she nodded. “I want to see him again. I’ve not set eyes on him for an age. I want you to take me back with you.”
“Surely, my dear, ’tis a trifle late in the day for such a
