His Grace — page 197: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

HTS GRACE. IgI ‘““Yours wasn’t much to the point,” observed Nora; ‘‘mine was. Good-evening.” It was within the range of my capacities to surmise what he had been counselling her to do and avoid; but, as I felt somewhat curious to learn the nature of her exhortations to him, I made so bold as to interro- gate him upon the subject. ‘‘ My dear fellow,” he answered, “ your sister is al- most as wise as you are—which is saying a good deal. She sees what you see and what lots of people who aren’t as wise as either of you see too. What she doesn’t see, and what I can’t explain to her, is that it’s too late for me to make a fresh start now. The flag’s down, we’re all off, and I’ve got to ride the race out, whether I win or whether I come a howling cropper. I don’t say that the stakes were worth entering for; I daresay they weren’t and I daresay I shouldn’t go in for them a second time; but what’s the use of talking about that at this time of day? Imustdo the best I can; and I mean beating Paul Gascoigne if it’s in any way possi- ble to beat him—I don’t mind telling you that much.” “In what way is it possible to beat him?” I in- quired. “ Not in politics, not in ostentation, certainly not upon the turf, with which he had nothing to do. Would you call it beating him to bind yourself for life to a woman who will hate you unless you can allow her an exorbitant sum in the shape of pin-money and who, if you would only leave her alone, would make him quite satisfactorily miserable for the rest of his days ?” Hurstbourne seemed to think this an excellent joke ; for he laughed loud and long. “I never knew such a confirmed woman-hater as you are, Martyn,” said he; “TI don’t believe you think there is a decent woman in com t -\ EbDoOOo S) (el)