"
"We should miss you immensely in the hunt," said Lord Rufford, who
of course knew what the something was.
"It's very kind of you to say so, my lord. But there are things
which may make a man go."
"Nothing serious, I hope."
"Just a young woman, my lord. I don't want it talked about, but I
don't mind mentioning it to you."
"You should never let those troubles touch you so closely," said
his lordship, whose own withers at this moment were by no means
unwrung.
"I dare say not. But if you feel it, how are you to help it? I
shall do very well when I get away. Chowton Farm is not the only
spot in the world."
"But a man so fond of hunting as you are!"
"Well;--yes. I shall miss the hunting, my lord,--shan't I? If Mr.
Morton don't buy the place I should like it to go to your lordship.
I offered it to him first because it came from them."
"Quite right. By-the-bye, I hear that Mr. Morton is very ill."
"So I heard," said Larry. "Nupper has been with him, I know, and I
fancy they have sent for somebody from London. I don't know that he
cares much about the land. He thinks more of the foreign parts he's
always in. I don't believe we should fall out about the price, my
lord." Then Lord Rufford explained that he would not go into that
matter just at present, but that if the place were in the market he
would certainly like to buy it.
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