CHAPTER XXX

Those two in the open carriage, one of whom had called out Sedgett’s name, were Robert and Major Waring.  When the cab had flown by, they fell back into their seats, and smoked; the original stipulation for the day having been that no harassing matter should be spoken of till nightfall.

True to this, Robert tried to think hard on the scene of his recent enjoyment.  Horses were to him what music is to a poet, and the glory of the Races he had witnessed was still quick in heart, and partly counteracted his astonishment at the sight of his old village enemy in company with Algernon Blancove.

It was not astonishing at all to him that they should have quarrelled and come to blows; for he knew Sedgett well, and the imperative necessity for fighting him, if only to preserve a man’s self-respect and the fair division of peace, when once he had been allowed to get upon terms sufficiently close to assert his black nature; but how had it come about?  How was it that a gentleman could consent to appear publicly with such a fellow?  He decided that it meant something, and something ominous—­but what?  Whom could it affect?  Was Algernon Blancove such a poor creature that, feeling himself bound by certain dark dealings with Sedgett to keep him quiet, he permitted the bullying dog to hang to his coat-tail?  It seemed improbable that any young gentleman should be so weak, but it might be the case; and “if so,” thought Robert, “and I let him know I bear him no ill-will for setting Sedgett upon me, I may be doing him a service.”

He remembered with pain Algernon’s glance of savage humiliation upward, just before he turned to follow Sedgett into the cab; and considered that he ought in kindness to see him and make him comfortable by apologizing, as if he himself had no complaint to make.

He resolved to do it when the opportunity should come.  Meantime, what on earth brought them together?

“How white the hedges are!” he said.

“There’s a good deal of dust,” Major Waring replied.

“I wasn’t aware that cabs came to the races.”

“They do, you see.”

Robert perceived that Percy meant to fool him if he attempted a breach of the bond; but he longed so much for Percy’s opinion of the strange alliance between Sedgett and Algernon Blancove, that at any cost he was compelled to say, “I can’t get to the bottom of that.”

“That squabble in the road?” said Percy.  “We shall see two or three more before we reach home.”

“No.  What’s the meaning of a gentleman consorting with a blackguard?” Robert persisted.

“One or the other has discovered an assimilation, I suppose,” Percy gave answer.  “That’s an odd remark on returning from Epsom.  Those who jump into the same pond generally come out the same colour.”

Robert spoke low.

“Has it anything to do with the poor girl, do you think?”