He's trying to get
money enough together to be able to show up at Newport and take a shy at an
heiress."
At this the fellow who was fourth in our party, and who had been giving me
a nasty, glassy stare, got as red as was Sammy. Then I noticed that he was
an Englishman, and I all but chuckled with delight. However, I said, "No
offense intended," and clapped him on the shoulder with a friendly smile.
"He's a good fellow, my man Monson, and knows a lot about horses."
Miss Ellersly bit her lip and colored, but I noticed also that her eyes
were dancing.
Sam introduced the Englishman to me--Lord Somebody-or-other, I forget what,
as I never saw him again. I turned like a bulldog from a toy terrier and
was at Miss Ellersly again. "Let me put a little something on Mowghli for
you," said I. "You're bound to win--and I'll see that you don't lose. I
know how you ladies hate to lose."
That was a bit stiff, as I know well enough now. Indeed, my instinct
would have told me better then, if I hadn't been so used to the sort of
women that jump at such an offer, and if I hadn't been casting about so
desperately and in such confusion for some way to please her. At any rate,
I hardly deserved her sudden frozen look.
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