CHAPTER VIII.
THE WAGER BOATS.
Tuesday morning rose, bright and propitious: a contrast to the two previous days arranged for the boat-race.

All was pleasure, bustle, excitement at Hartledon: but the coolness that had arisen between the brothers was noticed by some of the guests.

Neither of them was disposed to take the first step towards reconciliation: and, indeed, a little incident that occurred that morning led to another ill word between them.

An account that had been standing for more than two years was sent in to Lord Hartledon's steward; it was for some harness, a saddle, a silver-mounted whip, and a few trifles of that sort, supplied by a small tradesman in the village.

Lord Hartledon protested there was nothing of the sort owing; but upon inquiry the debtor proved to be Mr.Percival Elster.