Sir Henry had a small hunting stud, and somewhat ungraciously allowed his elder sister an occasional mount, although, as he took care to impress upon her, he hated hunting women. For the pleasure of being in the young lady’s society Harrington, who had no passion for horsemanship, became all of a sudden an ardent sportsman, borrowed his brother’s cob, Peter, and was ultimately cajoled into the purchase of an elderly hunter, which was not quite quick enough for his friend Sir Henry.
“You don’t mean hunting in the shires, so pace is not of so much consequence to you as it is to me,” said the baronet. “Mahmud will carry you beautifully in our country, and he’s as quiet as a sheep.”
It is possible that this qualification of sheepishness was Mahmud’s chief merit in Harrington’s estimation. He was a black horse, and looked a good deal for the money. Sir Henry asked a hundred guineas for him, and finally took his friend’s acceptance for eighty, and this transaction was the first burden of debt which Harrington Dalbrook laid upon his shoulders after leaving the University. There had been college debts, and he had considerably exceeded a very liberal allowance, but his father had paid those debts to the last shilling; and one grave and stern remonstrance, with a few fatherly words of advice for the future, had been all that Harrington had been called upon to endure. But he did not forget that his father had warned him against the consequences of any future folly.
He felt rather uncomfortable when the black horse was brought to the door one hunting morning, and when his father happened to be in the front office, whence he could see the unknown animal.
“Where did you get that black horse, Harrington? Is it a hire?” he asked.
“No. The fact is I’ve bought him.”
“Have you really? You must be richer than I gave you credit for being if you can afford to buy yourself a hunter. He looks a well-bred one, but shows work. I hope you didn’t give much for him.”
“No; I got him on easy terms.”
“Not on credit, I hope.”
“No; of course not. Sir Henry Baldwin sold him to me. I had saved a little out of my allowance, don’t you know?”