reehold) of every description whatsoever, to be dealt with as
I thought fit for my personal advantage. His solicitors, with my help,
would wind up his affairs, and his bankers had instructions to discharge
all his liabilities.

His memoirs, or so much of them as I had written down, I might (if I
thought they would interest anybody) publish, but not before the fiftieth
year of the Victorian era, or the death of the German emperor, whichever
event happened first. The letter concluded thus: "I strongly advise you to
buy a practice and settle down to steady work. We may meet again. If I
live to be a hundred, you shall hear from me. If I die sooner you will
probably hear of my demise from the house at Amsterdam, to whom please
send your new address."

I was exceedingly sorry to lose Mr. Fortescue. Our intercourse had been
altogether pleasant and agreeable, and to myself personally in a double
sense profitable; for he had taught me many things and rewarded me beyond
my deserts. Also the breaking up of Kingscote and the disposal of the
household went much against the grain. Yet I freely confess that Mr.
Fortescue's splendid gift proved a very effective one, and almost
reconciled me to his absence.

All the horses and carriages, except five of the former, and two traps, I
sent up to Tattersall's. As the horses, without exception, were of the
right sort, most of them perfect hunters, and it was known that Mr.
Fortescue would not have an unsound or vicious animal in his stables, they
fetched high prices. The sale brought me over six thousand pounds.
Two-thirds of this I put out at interest on good security; with the
remainder I bought a house and practice in a part of the county as to
which I will merely observe that it is pleasantly situated and within
reach of three packs of hounds. The greater part of the year I work hard
at my profession; but when November comes round I engage a second
assistant and (weather permitting) hunt three and sometimes four days a
week, so long as the season lasts.

And often when hounds are running hard and I am well up, or when I am
"hacking" homeward after a good day's sport, I think gratefully of the man
to whom I owe so much, and wonder whether I shall ever see him again.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MR. FORTESCUE***

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