"Yes," said Jack at last, with a touch of reluctance. "They were engaged,
but not for very long. Still, they'd been fond of one another for an age
and George was his greatest friend--"
Rosamund broke in: "Do tell us what he's like, Jack! I suppose you can
remember him quite well?"
Jack hesitated, rather uncomfortably.
"Of course I remember Radmore very well indeed. He had quite a tidy bit
of money, as both his parents were dead. His snuffy old guardian had been
at Balliol with father. So father was asked to coach him. And then, well,
I suppose as time went on, and Betty began growing up, he fell in love
with her."
"And she with him?" interposed Rosamund.
"A girl is apt to like any man who likes her," said Jack loftily. "But I
believe 'twas he made all the fuss when the engagement was broken off."
"But why was it broken off?" asked Rosamund.
"Because he'd lost all his money racing."
"What a stupid thing to do!" exclaimed Tom.
"The row came during the Easter holidays," went on Jack meditatively,
"and there was a fearful dust-up. Like an idiot, Radmore had gone and put
the whole of the little bit of money he had saved out of the fire on an
outsider he had some reason to think would be bound to romp in first--and
the horse was not even placed!"
"Poor fellow!" exclaimed Rosamund.
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