The Forsyte Saga - Volume 1

Visions of James haunted him day and night. Black thoughts about Soames

mingled with the faintest hopes. On the Friday night he got drunk, so

greatly was he affected. But on Saturday morning the true Stock

Exchange instinct triumphed within him. Owing some hundreds, which by

no possibility could he pay, he went into town and put them all on

Concertina for the Saltown Borough Handicap.

As he said to Major Scrotton, with whom he lunched at the Iseeum: "That

little Jew boy, Nathans, had given him the tip. He didn't care a cursh.

He wash in--a mucker. If it didn't come up--well then, damme, the old

man would have to pay!"

A bottle of Pol Roger to his own cheek had given him a new contempt for

James.

It came up. Concertina was squeezed home by her neck--a terrible squeak!

But, as Dartie said: There was nothing like pluck!

He was by no means averse to the expedition to Richmond. He would

'stand' it himself! He cherished an admiration for Irene, and wished to

be on more playful terms with her.

At half-past five the Park Lane footman came round to say: Mrs. Forsyte

was very sorry, but one of the horses was coughing!

Undaunted by this further blow, Winifred at once despatched little

Publius (now aged seven) with the nursery governess to Montpellier

Square.

They would go down in hansoms and meet at the Crown and Sceptre at 7.45.

Dartie, on being told, was pleased enough. It was better than going down

with your back to the horses! He had no objection to driving down with

Irene. He supposed they would pick up the others at Montpellier Square,

and swop hansoms there?

Informed that the meet was at the Crown and Sceptre, and that he would

have to drive with his wife, he turned sulky, and said it was d---d

slow!

At seven o'clock they started, Dartie offering to bet the driver

half-a-crown he didn't do it in the three-quarters of an hour.

Twice only did husband and wife exchange remarks on the way.

Dartie said: "It'll put Master Soames's nose out of joint to hear his

wife's been drivin' in a hansom with Master Bosinney!"

Winifred replied: "Don't talk such nonsense, Monty!"

"Nonsense!" repeated Dartie. "You don't know women, my fine lady!"

On the other occasion he merely asked: "How am I looking? A bit puffy

about the gills? That fizz old George is so fond of is a windy wine!"

He had been lunching with George Forsyte at the Haversnake.

Bosinney and Irene had arrived before them. They were standing in one of

the long French windows overlooking the river.