trap mare; but he had other things that lay heavy on his mind, and after bestowing half an hour on the stud, he contrived to get his friend away to the shrubbery walks.
"So you have settled with Sowerby," Robarts began by saying.
"Settled with him—yes; but do you know the price?"
"I believe that you have paid five thousand pounds."
"Yes, and about three before; and that in a matter in which I did not really owe one shilling. Whatever I do in future, I'll keep out of Sowerby's grip."
"But you don't think he has been unfair to you?"
"Mark, to tell you the truth, I have banished the affair from my mind, and don't wish to take it up again. My mother has paid the money to save the property, and of course I must pay her back. But I think I may promise that I will not have any more money dealings with Sowerby. I will not say that he is dishonest, but, at any rate, he is sharp."
"Well, Lufton, what will you say when I tell you that I have put my name to a bill for him for four hundred pounds?"
"Say! why I should say—but you're joking; a man in your position would never do such a thing."
"But I have done it."
Lord Lufton gave a long low whistle.
"He asked me the last night that I was there, making a great favor of it, and declaring that no bill of his had ever yet been dishonored."
Lord Lufton whistled again. "No bill of his dishonored! Why, the pocket-books of the Jews are stuffed full of his dishonored papers. And you have really given him your name for four hundred pounds?"
"I have, certainly."
"At what date?"
"Three months."
"And have you thought where you are to get the money?"
"I know very well that I can't get it—not at least by that time. The bankers must renew it for me, and I must pay it by degrees—that is, if Sowerby really does not take it up."
"It is just as likely that he will take up the national debt."
