WILD SPORT IN BRITTANY. 319 



field his presence, so far from giving offence to any, was welcomed 

 by all, and, moreover, had the quiet and unobtrusive effect of 

 checking the utterance of many a coarse word as it rose to the 

 lips of those around him. This was Bob's conviction, and, with 

 his love for the chase, hereditary and inborn as it was, well might 

 he say that "he only wished his whole life had been spent as 

 innocently and happily as in the hunting-field or on the river- 

 side." 



Still, his bishop a man who, by his zeal, industry, and 

 untiring activity did the work of ten ordinary men, and whose 

 eloquence, now, alas ! silent for ever, was wont to charm every 

 ear, patrician or proletarian strongly objected to Bob's hunting 

 tendencies j and, with the hope of persuading or compelling him 

 to renounce them, he summoned him to his palace, where 

 accordingly on a stated day Bob made his appearance. 



" I am told, Mr. Buckstone," said his lordship, very gravely, 

 " that you are in the habit of regularly joining a pack of fox- 

 hounds in your neighbourhood ; and such a practice being incon- 

 sistent with the sacred character of your office, I must beg you to 

 give me a distinct promise that you will renounce it at once so 

 long as you continue to be a curate in my diocese." 



" My Lord," said Bob, with an air of remonstrance, but at 

 the same time with the utmost deference, " I neglect no duty ; 

 and my health, which is not strong, is greatly benefited by the 

 exercise. I have, too, but a cob pony to ride ; so I trust your 

 Lordship will not bind me to give a promise which some day I 

 may be tempted to break." 



" And is your nature so weak and your passion for the chase 

 so strong," said the Bishop, somewhat sarcastically, "that not 

 only your word, but interests even of the highest import must 

 needs be sacrificed to such indulgence ? What was your reason 

 given you for, but to control your passion ? No, Mr. Buckstone, 

 let me have your promise, and be a man and keep it." 



