' Mr Lupton could do no more, and retired. Before the
night was over bets had been booked to the amount stated, and the
Duke's son, who had promised that he would never plunge, stood to
lose about seventy thousand pounds upon the race.
While this was going on Tifto sat not far from his patron, but
completely silent. During the day and early in the evening a few
sparks of the glory which scintillated from the favourite horse
flew in his direction. But he was on this occasion unlike himself,
and though the horse was to be run in his name had very little to
say in the matter. Not a boast came out of his mouth during dinner
or after dinner. He was so moody that his partner, who was
generally anxious to keep him quiet, more than once endeavoured to
encourage him. But he was unable to rouse himself. It was still
within his power to run straight; to be on the square, if not with
Captain Green, at any rate with Lord Silverbridge. But to do so he
must make a clean breast with his Lordship and confess the
intended sin. As he heard all that was being done, his conscience
troubled him sorely.
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