With this particular pair, inbred to the uttermost,
he had successfully surmounted a great risk. It was now touch and go
whether he dared venture on one more cross to the original strain, in
the hope of eliminating the last clinging of liver colour. It was a
gamble--and it was just that which rendered it so vastly interesting.
A small voice diverted his attention; he looked round and saw little
Ann. She had been in bed when he arrived the night before, and he was
therefore the newest thing about.
She carried in her arms a guinea-pig, and began at once:
"Grandpapa, Granny wants you. She's on the terrace; she's talking to Mr.
Courtier. I like him--he's a kind man. If I put my guinea-pig down, will
they bite it? Poor darling--they shan't! Isn't it a darling!"
Lord Valleys, twirling his moustache, regarded the guinea-pig without
favour; he had rather a dislike for all senseless kinds of beasts.
Pressing the guinea-pig between her hands, as it might be a concertina,
little Ann jigged it gently above the pointers, who, wrinkling horribly
their long noses, gazed upwards, fascinated.
"Poor darlings, they want it--don't they? Grandpapa."
"Yes."
"Do you think the next puppies will be spotted quite all over?"
Continuing to twirl his moustache, Lord Valleys answered:
"I think it is not improbable, Ann.
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