But he had other points in his favour besides the friendship of Lord Silverbridge,—points which had probably led to that friendship. He was, without doubt, one of the best horsemen in England. There were some who said that, across country, he was the very best, and that, as a judge of a hunter, few excelled him. Of late years he had crept into credit as a betting-man. No one supposed that he had much capital to work with; but still, when he lost a bet he paid it.
Soon after his return from Spain, he was chosen as Master of the Runnymede Fox-Hounds, and was thus enabled to write the letters M.F.H. after his name. The gentlemen who rode with the Runnymede were not very liberal in their terms, and had lately been compelled to change their Master rather more frequently than was good for that quasi-suburban hunt; but now they had fitted themselves well. How he was to hunt the country five days a fortnight, finding servants and horses, and feeding the hounds, for eight hundred pounds a year, no one could understand. But Major Tifto not only undertook to do it, but did it. And he actually succeeded in obtaining for the Runnymede a degree of popularity which for many years previous it had not possessed6. Such a man,—even though no one did know anything of his father or mother, though no one had ever heard him speak of a brother or a sister, though it was believed that he had no real income,—was felt by many to be the very man for the Beargarden; and when his name was brought up at the committee, Lord Silverbridge was able to say so much in his favour that only two blackballs were given against him. Under the mild rule of the club, three would have been necessary to exclude him; and therefore Major Tifto was now as good a member as any one else.
He was a well-made little man, good-looking for those who like such good looks. He was light-haired and blue-eyed, with regular and yet not inexpressive features. But his eyes were small and never tranquil8, and rarely capable of looking at the person who was speaking to him. He had small well-trimmed, glossy9 whiskers, with the best-kept moustache, and the best-kept tuft on his chin which were to be seen anywhere. His face still bore the freshness of youth, which was a marvel10 to many, who declared that, from facts within their knowledge, Tifto must be far on the wrong side of forty. At a first glance you would hardly have called him thirty. No doubt, when, on close inspection11, you came to look into his eyes, you could see the hand of time. Even if you believed the common assertion that he painted,—which it was very hard to believe of a man who passed the most of his time in the hunting-field or on a race-course,—yet the paint on his cheeks would not enable him to move with the elasticity12 which seemed to belong to all his limbs. He rode flat races and steeple chases,—if jump races may still be so called; and with his own hounds and with the Queen's did incredible things on horseback. He could jump over chairs too,—the backs of four chairs in a dining-room after dinner,—a feat7 which no gentleman of forty-five could perform, even though he painted himself ever so.
So much in praise of Major Tifto honesty has compelled the present chronicler to say. But there were traits of character in which he fell off a little, even in the estimation of those whose pursuits endeared him to them. He could not refrain from boasting,—and especially from boasting about women. His desire for glory in that direction knew no bounds, and he would sometimes mention names, and bring himself into trouble. It was told of him that at one period of his life, when misfortune had almost overcome him, when sorrow had produced prostration13, and prostration some expression of truth, he had owned to a friend his own conviction that could he have kept his tongue from talking of women, he might have risen to prosperity in his profession. From these misfortunes he had emerged, and, no doubt, had often reflected on what he himself had then said. But we know that the drunkard, though he hates drunkenness, cannot but drink,—that the gambler cannot keep from the dice14. Major Tifto still lied about women, and could not keep his tongue from the subject. He would boast, too, about other matters,—much to his own disadvantage. He was, too, very "deep", and some men, who could put up with his other failings, could not endure that. Whatever he wanted to do he would attempt round three corners. Though he could ride straight, he could do nothing else straight. He was full of mysteries. If he wanted to draw Charter Wood he would take his hounds out of the street at Egham directly in the other direction. If he had made up his mind to ride Lord Pottlepot's horse for the great Leamington handicap, he would be sure to tell even his intimate friends that he was almost determined15 to take the "baronet's" offer of a mount. This he would do even where there was no possible turn in the betting to be affected16 by such falsehood. So that his companions were apt to complain that there was no knowing where to have Tifto. And then, they who were old enough in the world to have had some experience in men, had perceived that peculiar17 quality of his eyes, which never allowed him to look any one in the face.
That Major Tifto should make money by selling horses was, perhaps, a necessity of his position. No one grumbled18 at him because he did so, or thought that such a pursuit was incompatible19 with his character as a sporting gentleman. But there were some who considered that they had suffered unduly20 under his hands, and in their bargains with him had been made to pay more than a proper amount of tax for the advantages of his general assistance. When a man has perhaps made fifty pounds by using a "straight tip" as to a horse at Newmarket, in doing which he had of course encountered some risks, he feels he ought not to be made to pay the amount back into the pockets of the "tipper," and at the same time to find himself saddled with the possession of a perfectly21 useless animal. In this way there were rocks in the course through which Tifto was called on to steer22 his bark. Of course he was anxious, when preying23 upon his acquaintances, to spare those who were useful friends to him. Now and again he would sell a serviceable animal at a fair price, and would endeavour to make such sale in favour of someone whose countenance24 would be a rock to him. He knew his business well, but yet there would be mistakes.
Now, at this very moment, was the culmination25 of the Major's life. He was Master of the Runnymede Hounds, he was partner with the eldest26 son of a Duke in the possession of that magnificent colt, the Prime Minister, and he was a member of the Beargarden. He was a man who had often been despondent27 about himself, but was now disposed to be a little triumphant28. He had finished his season well with the Runnymede, and were it not that, let him work as he would, his expenses always exceeded his means, he would have been fairly comfortable.
At eight o'clock Lord Silverbridge and his friend met in the dining-room of the Beargarden. "Have you been here before?" asked the Lord.
"Not in here, my Lord. I just looked in at the smoking-room last night. Glasslough and Nidderdale were there. I thought we should have got up a rubber, but they didn't seem to see it."
"There is whist here generally. You'll find out all about it before long. Perhaps they are a little afraid of you."
"I'm the worst hand at cards, I suppose, in England. A dash at loo for about an hour, and half-a-dozen cuts at blind hookey,—that's about my form. I know I drop more than I pick up. If I knew what I was about I should never touch a card."
"Horses; eh, Tifto?"
"Horses, yes. They've pretty good claret, here, eh, Silverbridge?" He could never hit off his familiarity quite right. He had my-Lorded his young friend at first, and now brought out the name with a hesitating twang, which the young nobleman appreciated. But then the young nobleman was quite aware that the Major was a friend for club purposes, and sporting purposes, and not for home use.
"Everything of that kind is pretty good here," said the Lord.
"You were saying—horses."
"I dare say you do better with them than with cards."
"If I didn't I don't know where I should be, seeing what a lot pass through my hands in the year. Any one 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 him 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 spotted29 chestnut30 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."
"I rather think not. I knew what that mare31 was, well enough. A dealer32 would have had three hundred and fifty pounds for her. I could have got the money easily if I had taken her down into the shires, and ridden her a day or two myself."
"I gave you what you asked."
"Yes, you did. It isn't often that I take less than I ask. But the fact is, about horses, I don't know whether I shouldn't do better if I never owned an animal at all but those I want for my own use. When I am dealing33 with a man I call a friend, I can't bear to make money of him. I don't think fellows give me all the credit they should do for sticking to them."
The Major, as he said this, leaned back in his chair, put his hand up to his moustache, and looked sadly away into the vacancy34 of the room, as though he was meditating35 sorrowfully on the ingratitude36 of the world.
"I suppose it's all right about Cream Cheese?" asked the Lord.
"Well; it ought to be." And now the Major spoke37 like an oracle38, leaning forward on the table, uttering his words in a low voice, but very plainly, so that not a syllable39 might be lost. "When you remember how he ran at the Craven with 9 st. 12 lb. on him, that it took Archbishop all he knew to beat him with only 9 st. 2 lb., and what the lot at Chester are likely to be, I don't think that there can be seven to one against him. I should be very glad to take it off your hands, only the figures are a little too heavy for me."
"I suppose Sunflower'll be the best animal there?"
"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 brute40 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 habitually41 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 asylum42 sometimes call Dolly." Whereupon the Major bowed and smiled graciously.
"I have heard of Major Tifto," said Dolly.
"Who has not?" said Lord Nidderdale, another middle-aged43 young man, who made one of the company. Again the Major bowed.
"Last season I was always intending to get down to your country and have a day with the Tiftoes," said Dolly. "Don't they call your hounds the Tiftoes?"
"They shall be called so if you like," said the Major. "And why didn't you come?"
"It always was such a grind."
"Train down from Paddington every day at half-past ten."
"That's all very well if you happen to be up. Well, Silverbridge, how's the Prime Minister?"
"How is he, Tifto?" asked the noble partner.
"I don't think there's a man in England just at present enjoying a very much better state of health," said the Major pleasantly.
"Safe to run?" asked Dolly.
"Safe to run! Why shouldn't he be safe to run?"
"I mean sure to start."
"I think we mean him to start, don't we, Silverbridge?" said the Major.
There was something perhaps in the tone in which the last remark was made which jarred a little against the young lord's dignity. At any rate he got up and declared his purpose of going to the opera. He should look in, he said, and hear a song from Mdlle Stuffa. Mdlle Stuffa was the nightingale of the season, and Lord Silverbridge, when he had nothing else to do, would sometimes think that he was fond of music. Soon after he was gone Major Tifto had some whisky-and-water, lit his third cigar, and began to feel the glory of belonging to the Beargarden. With Lord Silverbridge, to whom it was essentially44 necessary that he should make himself agreeable at all times, he was somewhat overweighted as it were. Though he attempted an easy familiarity, he was a little afraid of Lord Silverbridge. With Dolly Longstaff he felt that he might be comfortable,—not, perhaps, understanding that gentleman's character. With Lord Nidderdale he had previously45 been acquainted, and had found him to be good-natured. So, as he sipped46 his whisky, he became confidential47 and comfortable.
"I never thought so much about her good looks," he said. They were talking of the singer, the charms of whose voice had carried Lord Silverbridge away.
"Did you ever see her off the stage?" asked Nidderdale.
"Oh dear yes."
"She does not go about very much, I fancy," said someone.
"I dare say not," said Tifto. "But she and I have had a day or two together, for all that."
"You must have been very much favoured," said Dolly.
"We've been pals49 ever since she has been over here," said Tifto, with an enormous lie.
"How do you get on with her husband?" asked Dolly,—in the simplest voice, as though not in the least surprised at his companion's statement.
"Husband!" exclaimed the Major; who was not possessed of sufficient presence of mind to suppress all signs of his ignorance.
"Ah," said Dolly; "you are not probably aware that your pal48 has been married to Mr. Thomas Jones for the last year and a half." Soon after that Major Tifto left the club,—with considerably50 enhanced respect for Mr. Longstaff.
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1
auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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2
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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3
impute
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| v.归咎于 | |
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4
slander
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| n./v.诽谤，污蔑 | |
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5
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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6
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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7
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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8
tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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9
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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10
marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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11
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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12
elasticity
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| n.弹性，伸缩力 | |
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13
prostration
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| n. 平伏, 跪倒, 疲劳 | |
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14
dice
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| n.骰子；vt.把（食物）切成小方块，冒险 | |
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15
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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16
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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17
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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18
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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19
incompatible
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| adj.不相容的，不协调的，不相配的 | |
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20
unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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21
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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22
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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23
preying
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| v.掠食( prey的现在分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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24
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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25
culmination
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| n.顶点；最高潮 | |
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26
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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27
despondent
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| adj.失望的，沮丧的，泄气的 | |
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28
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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29
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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30
chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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31
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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32
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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33
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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34
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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35
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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36
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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37
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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38
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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39
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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40
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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41
habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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42
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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43
middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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44
essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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45
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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46
sipped
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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48
pal
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| n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友 | |
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49
pals
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| n.朋友( pal的名词复数 )；老兄；小子；（对男子的不友好的称呼）家伙 | |
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50
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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