Page:Orley Farm (Serial Volume 1).pdf/51

 pledge given for a whole life-time must be foolish; and he bethought himself also that if he could wean his heir from rats for a year or so, the taste would perish from lack of nourishment. I will say for two years,' said Sir Peregrine, still maintaining his austere look.

'For two years!' repeated Peregrine the younger; and this is the fourth of October.'

'Yes, sir; for two years,' said the baronet, more angry than ever at the young man's pertinacity, and yet almost amused at his grandson's already formed resolve to go back to his occupation at the first opportunity allowed.

'Couldn't you date it from the end of August, sir? The best of the matches always come off in September.'

'No, sir; I will not date it from any other time than the present. Will you give me your word of honour as a gentleman, for two years?'

Peregrine thought over the proposition for a minute or two in sad anticipation of all that he was to lose, and then slowly gave his adhesion to the terms. Very well, sir;—for two years.' And then he took out his pocket-book and wrote in it slowly.

It was at any rate manifest that he intended to keep his word, and that was much; so Sir Peregrine accepted the promise for what it was worth. 'And now,' said he, if you have got nothing better to do, we will ride down to Crutchley Wood.'

I should like it of all things,' said his grandson. Samson wants me to cut a new bridle-path through from the larches at the top of the hill down to Crutchley Bottom; but I don't think I'll have it done. Tell Jacob to let us have the nags; I'll ride the gray pony. And ask your mother if she'll ride with us.'

It was the manner of Sir Peregrine to forgive altogether when he did forgive; and to commence his forgiveness in all its integrity from the first moment of the pardon. There was nothing he disliked so much as being on bad terms with those around him, and with none more so than with his grandson. Peregrine well knew how to make himself pleasant to the old man, and when duly encouraged would always do so. And thus the family party, as they rode on this occasion through the woods of The Cleeve, discussed oaks and larches, beech and birches, as though there were no such animal as a rat in existence, and no such place known as Cowcross Street.

'Well, Perry, as you and Samson are both of one mind, I suppose the path must be made,' said Sir Peregrine, as he got off his horse at the entrance of the stable-yard, and prepared to give his feeble aid to Mrs. Orme.

Shortly after this the following note was brought up to The Cleeve by a messenger from Orley Farm:—