Page:Orley Farm (Serial Volume 1).pdf/50

 opinion that the chief fault had lain with Carroty Bob and those other wretched people who had lured her dear child into their villainous den. She had altogether failed to conceal her pride at his having fought his way out from among them, and had ended by sup plying his pocket out of her own immediate resources. 'I hope not, sir,' said Peregrine the younger, thinking over some of these things.

'But you will, sir, if you go on with this shameless career. I do not speak of myself. I do not expect you to sacrifice your tastes for me; but I did think that you loved your mother!'

'So I do;—and you too.'

'I am not speaking about myself, sir. When I think what your father was at your age;—how nobly' And then the baronet was stopped in his speech, and wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. 'Do you think that your father, sir, followed such pursuits as these? Do you think that he spent his time in the pursuit of—rats?'

'Well; I don't know, I don't think he did. But I have heard you say, sir, that you sometimes went to cockfights when you were young.'

'To cockfights! well, yes. But let me tell you, sir, that I always went in the company of gentlemen—that is, when I did go, which was very seldom.' The baronet in some after-dinner half-hour had allowed this secret of his youth to escape from him, imprudently.

'And I went to the house in Cowcross Street with Lord John Fitzjoly.'

'The last man in all London with whom you ought to associate! But I am not going to argue with you, sir. If you think, and will continue to think, that the slaughtering of vermin is a proper pursuit'

'But, sir, foxes are vermin also.'

'Hold your tongue, sir, and listen to me. You know very well what I mean, sir. If you think that—rats are a proper pursuit for a gentleman in your sphere of life, and if all that I can say has no effect in changing your opinion,—I shall have done. I have not many years of life before me, and when I shall be no more, you can squander the property in any vile pursuits that may be pleasing to you. But, sir, you shall not do it while I am living; nor, if I can help it, shall you rob your mother of such peace of mind as is loft for her in this world. I have only one alternative for you, sir.' Sir Peregrine did not stop to explain what might be the other branch of this alternative. Will you give me your word of honour as a gentleman that you will never again concern yourself in this disgusting pursuit?'

'Never, grandfather! said Peregrine, solemnly.

Sir Peregrine before he answered bethought himself that any