The child ran on ahead towards the woods, a great bull-mastiff at his heels.
"What's to do now?" asked Richard, looking round into the mobile, dissipated countenance.
"The devil's in it this time, and no mistake," answered his lordship with a rueful shake of his head.
"Debts?"
"Lord, yes! I was at Delaby's last night, and the stakes were high. Altogether I've lost about three thousand-counting what I owe Carew.
And devil take me an I know where 't's to come from! Here's Tracy turned saint and swears he'll see me damned before he hands me another penny. I doubt he means it, too."
Tracy was the Duke. Richard smiled a little cynically; he had already had to lend his Grace a thousand guineas to pay off some "trifling debt."
"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.