’Lord Silverbridge may be sure of absolute secrecy.

‘Crasham Court, Crutched Friars, Sept 15, 18-.’

The other despatch was a telegram from Mr Moreton, saying that he would be in Carlton Terrace by noon on the following day.

CHAPTER 45

There Shall Not be Another Word About It.

Early in October the Duke was at Matching with his daughter, and Phineas Finn and his wife were both with them.  On the day after they parted at Ischl the first news respecting Prime Minister had reached him,—­namely, that his son’s horse had lost the race.  This would not have annoyed him at all, but that the papers which he read contained some vague charge of swindling against somebody, and hinted that Lord Silverbridge had been a victim.  Even this would not have troubled him,—­might in some sort have comforted him,—­were it made evident to him that his son had been closely associated with swindlers in these transactions.  If it were a mere question of money, that might be settled without difficulty.  Even though the sum lost might have grown out of what he might have expected into some few thousands, still he would bear it without a word, if only he could separate his boy from bad companions.  Then came Mr Moreton’s letter telling him the whole.

At the meeting which took place between Silverbridge and his father’s agent at Carlton Terrace it was settled that Mr Moreton should write the letter.  Silverbridge tried and found that he could not do it.  He did not know how to humiliate himself sufficiently, and yet could not keep himself from making attempts to prove that according to all recognised chances his bets had been good bets.

Mr Moreton was better able to accomplish the task.  He knew the Duke’s mind.  A very large discretion had been left in Mr Moreton’s hands in regard to moneys which might be needed on behalf of that dangerous heir!-so large that he had been able to tell Lord Silverbridge that if the money was in truth lost according to Jockey Club rules, it should be all forthcoming on the settling-day,—­certainly without assistance from Messrs Comfort and Criball.  The Duke had been nervously afraid of such men of business as Comfort and Criball, and from the earliest days of his son’s semi-manhood had been on his guard against them.  Let any sacrifice be made so that his son might be kept clear from Comforts and Criballs.  To Mr Moreton he had been very explicit.  His own pecuniary resources were so great that they could bear some ravaging without serious detriment.  It was for his son’s character and standing in the world, for his future respectability and dignity that his fears were so keen, and not for his own money.  By one so excitable, so fond of pleasure as Lord Silverbridge, some ravaging would probably be made.  Let it be met by ready money.  Such had been the Duke’s instructions to his own trusted man of business, and, acting on these instructions, Mr Moreton was able to tell the heir that the money should be forthcoming.