'Everything of that kind is pretty good here,' said the Lord.

'You were saying--horses.'

'I dare say you deal better with them than cards.'

'If I didn't I don't know where I should be, seeing what a lot
pass through my hands in the year. Anyone of our fellows who has a
horse to sell thinks that I am bound to buy him. And I do buy 'em.
Last May I had forty-two hunters on my hands.'

'How many of them have you got now?'

'Three. Three of that lot,--though a goodish many have come up
since. But what does it amount to? When I have anything that is
very good, some fellow that I like gets it from me.'

'After paying for him?'

'After paying for him! Yes, I don't mean that I make a fellow a
present. But the man who buys has a deal the best of it. Did you
ever get anything better than that spotted chestnut in your life?'

'What, old Sarcinet?'

'You had her for one hundred and sixty pounds. Now, if you were on
your oath, what is she worth?'

'She suits me, Major, and of course I shouldn't sell her.'