"'We have had no hard frosts lately, William.—We may wait for years.— The sooner it is over the better.—Go back to town, buy your horse, and then come down here—my dear William, to oblige your uncle—never mind the dog-days.'
"'Well, sir, if I am to make a sacrifice, it shall not be done by halves; out of respect for you I will even marry in July, without any regard to the thermometer.'
"'You are a good boy, William.—Do you want a cheque?'
"'I have had one to-day,' thought William, and was almost at fault. 'I shall be most thankful, sir—they sell horse-flesh by the ounce now-a-days.'
"'And you pay in pounds.—There, William.'
"'Thank you, sir, I'm all obedience; and I'll keep my word, even if there should be a comet. I'll go and buy the horse, and then I shall be ready to take the ring-fence as soon as you please.'
"'Yes, and you'll get over it cleverly, I've no doubt.—Five thousand acres, William, and—a pretty wife!'
"'Have you any further commands, uncle?' said William, depositing the cheque in his pocket-book.
"'Now, my dear boy, are you going?'
"'Yes, sir; I dine at the Clarendon.'