He always recognized the fact that he was working hard on behalf of society, and, as he used to say himself that he had no idea of pulling all the coach up the hill by his own shoulders.

Whenever, therefore, he had made his effort he waited for his companion's, looking closely into her face, cunningly driving her on, so that she also should pull her share of the coach.

Before dinner was over Mrs.Clavering found the hill to be very steep, and the coach to be very heavy.

"I'll bet you seven to one," said he--and this was his parting speech as Mrs.Clavering rose up at Lady Clavering's nod--"I'll bet you seven to one, that the whole box and dice of them are married before me--or at any rate as soon; and I don't mean to remain single much longer, I can tell you." The "box and dice of them" was supposed to comprise Harry, Florence, Fanny and Lady Ongar, of all of whom mention had been made, and that saving clause--"at any rate as soon"-- was cunningly put in, as it had occurred to Archie that he perhaps might be married on the same day as one of those other persons.

But Mrs.
Clavering was not compelled either to accept or reject the bet, as she was already moving before the terms had been fully explained to her.
Lady Clavering as she went out of the room stopped a moment behind Harry's chair and whispered a word to him.