Hir mi diblis I never will." I saw by
Jasper's look and tone that he was in earnest, and, as I had really
a regard for the strange being, I scarcely knew what to do. "Now,
be persuaded, brother," said Mr. Petulengro, taking up the purse,
and handing it to me; "be persuaded; put the purse into your
pocket, and buy the horse." "Well," said I, "if I did so, would
you acknowledge the horse to be yours, and receive the money again
as soon as I should be able to repay you?"
"I would, brother, I would," said he; "return me the money as soon
as you please, provided you buy the horse." "What motive have you
for wishing me to buy that horse?" said I. "He's to be sold for
fifty pounds," said Jasper, "and is worth four times that sum;
though, like many a splendid bargain, he is now going a begging;
buy him, and I'm confident that, in a little time, a grand
gentleman of your appearance may have anything he asks for him, and
found a fortune by his means. Moreover, brother, I want to dispose
of this fifty pounds in a safe manner. If you don't take it, I
shall fool it away in no time, perhaps at card-playing, for you saw
how I was cheated by those blackguard jockeys the other day--we
gyptians don't know how to take care of money: our best plan when
we have got a handful of guineas is to make buttons with them; but
I have plenty of golden buttons, and don't wish to be troubled with
more, so you can do me no greater favour than vesting the money in
this speculation, by which my mind will be relieved of considerable
care and trouble for some time at least.
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