"No, he's not at all well, Dick. He's consumptive, I'm sorry to say."
"Have you a jockey?"
"Not at present."
"Will you give me the mount?"
"Are you not engaged to ride Ripon?" asked Picton, surprised.
"No, there is no engagement, and I have fallen out with Mr. Hansom about the riding of his horse in the St. Leger," said Banks.
"You are free to ride my mare?" asked Picton.
"Yes."
"Then you shall have the mount. I would sooner see you on her than any one, except Fred," said Picton.
"Thank you, sir," said Banks, jubilant, and went off to tell Rupert Hansom, who said it was an infernal shame, and raved about it to his friends, calling Banks all sorts of names.