“Splendid! Come, John, you shall walk with us, and we’ll confound fat Betty!” He slipped his arm through Richard’s as he spoke. “Come, Dick! There’s a deal I have to say to you.” He grimaced ruefully.

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 ’tis 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.”