Lord Popplecourt was a young peer whose father had died two years since and whose estates were large and unembarrassed.  The late lord, who had been a Whig of the old fashion, had been the Duke’s friend.  They had been at Oxford and in the House of Commons together, and Lord Popplecourt had always been true to his party.  As to the son, the Duke remembered to have heard lately that he was not given to waste his money.  He drove about London a good deal, but had as yet not done anything very foolish.  He had taken his degree at Oxford, taken his seat in the House of Lords and had once opened his mouth.  He had not indeed appeared often again; but at Lord Popplecourt’s age much legislation is not to be expected from a young peer.  Then he thought of the man’s appearance.  Popplecourt was not specially attractive, whereas Tregear was a very handsome man.  But so also had been Burgo Fitzgerald,—­almost abnormally beautiful, while he, Plantagenet Palliser, as he was then, had been quite insignificant in appearance as Lord Popplecourt.

Lord Popplecourt might possibly do.  But then how should the matter be spoken of to the young man?  After all, would it not be best that he should trust Lady Cantrip?

CHAPTER 25

A Family Breakfast-Table

Lord Silverbridge had paid all his Derby losses without any difficulty.  They had not been very heavy for a man in his position, and the money had come without remonstrance.  When asking for it he was half-ashamed of himself, but could still find consolation in remembering how much worse had plunged many young men whom he knew.  He had never ‘plunged’.  In fact he had made the most prudent book in the world; and had so managed his affairs that even now the horse which had been beaten was worth more than all he had lost and paid.  ‘This is getting serious,’ he had said to his partner when, on making out a rough account, he had brought in the Major in a debtor to him of more than a thousand pounds.  The Major remarked that as he was half-owner of the horses his partner had good security for the money.  Then something of an unwritten arrangement was made.  The ‘Prime Minister’ was now one of the favourites for the Leger.  If the horse won that race there would be money enough for everything.  If that race were lost, then there should be a settlement by the transfer of the stud to the younger partner.  ‘He’s safe to pull it off,’ said the Major.

At this time both his sons were living with the Duke in London.  It had been found impracticable to send Lord Gerald back to Cambridge.  The doors of Trinity were closed against him.  But some interest had been made in his favour, and he was to be transferred to Oxford.  All the truth had been told, and there had been a feeling that the lad should be allowed another chance.  He could not however go to his new Alma Mater till after the long vacation.  In the meantime he was to be taken by a tutor down