'Not a doubt of it, if he's all right, and if his temper will
stand. Think what a course Chester is for an ill-conditioned brute
like that! And then he's the most uncertain horse in training.
There are times he won't feed. From what I hear, I shouldn't
wonder if he don't turn up at all.'

'Solomon says he's all right.'

'You won't get Solomon to take four to one against him, nor yet
four and a half. I suppose you'll go down my Lord?'

'Well, yes; if there's nothing else doing just then. I don't know
how it may be about this electioneering business. I shall go and
smoke upstairs.'

At the Beargarden there were,--I was going to say, two smoking-
rooms; but in truth the house was a smoking-room all over. It was,
however, the custom of those who habitually played cards, to have
their cigars and coffee upstairs. Into this sanctum Major Tifto
had not yet been introduced, but now he was taken there under Lord
Silverbridge's wing. There were already four or five assembled,
among whom was Mr Adolphus Longstaff, a young man of about thirty-
five years of age, who spent very much of his time at the
Beargarden. 'Do you know my friend Tifto?' said the Lord. 'Tifto,
this is Mr Longstaff, whom men within the walls of this asylum
sometimes call Dolly.' Whereupon the Major bowed and smiled
graciously.

'I have heard of Major Tifto,' said Dolly.