d
call myself Field."

It was with mixed feelings that Fielden stood by his dressing-table
adjusting his black evening tie an hour later. His surroundings were
bringing back his boyhood's associations vividly, every object was
growing familiar. It was just the same when he came down to the
drawing-room and found Sir George waiting him.

Here was a change, at any rate. Those around him daily might not have
seen much difference, but to Fielden Sir George had grown old and bent.
There were lines of care about his eyes and his manner was painfully
nervous. In this old man there was no suggestion of one of the finest
sportsmen and most fearless riders in the county. Fielden had learnt
much in the light of bitter experience. He knew great mental anxiety
when he saw it, and he needed no one to tell him that he was face to
face with it now. But Sir George's welcome was hearty. The ring in his
voice and the pressure of his hand left nothing lacking in the way of
sincerity.

"Ah, my boy, this is an unexpected pleasure," he said. "I don't think
you really know how glad I am to see you. You are almost the only one of
the old stock left except ourselves. One by one they have passed away,
and of the score of houses where I used to go as a boy there isn't one
to-day which is not inhabited by new people. Most of them are sportsmen
of a sort, but they haven't the old feeling for it. Well, perhaps I am a
bit old-fashioned. And how you have changed! I give you my word for it,
I should not have known you from Adam. Yet it seems only the other day
that you came into one of the finest properties and proceeded to get rid
of it after the manner of your kind. How we missed you! But it is no use
crying over spilt milk. I hoped at one time that you and May--God bless
me, what am I talking about! May tells me that you don't want to be
known by your own name, and that we are to speak of you as Mr. Field.
Perhaps it is natural. Now you are here, you had better stay a few days,
and I'll see if I can find something for you to do. A friend of mine
lives close by, Mr. Raymond Copley. He is new since your time, is very
rich, has a fancy to keep a stable, and is looking for some one he can
rely upon to take the entire management. He has had one or two men who
have robbed him. I am sure I can recommend you; with all your folly and
extravagance you never forgot what is due to your name."

"You are very good, sir," Fielden answered. "The post you speak o