30 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



wards, they made but a faint impression at the time. 

 I went away for an hour or two, and then repeated 

 my visit. The "picture" was produced and exhibit- 

 ed; and certainly he had not been unfairly des- 

 cribed; he was a fine-looking horse, of great power 

 and spirit ; but why w^as he sold ? 



" Master had been unlucky, and was going abroad 

 for the summer." Delicacy of course forbade more 

 minute inquiry ; I cared not whether he absconded 

 to avoid a dun. or a halter, provided the horse was 

 sound : the cause of separation was very sufficiently 

 explained, and I soon found that the animal was 

 "well known in the Surrey." Forty guineas was 

 but a moderate figure ; and after less than an hour's 

 trial, I paid the money, stipulated that the saddle 

 and bridle should be thrown into the bargain, and 

 rode him away at a round trot ; afraid of leaving 

 him till my servant might bring him, lest some more 

 active bidder should anticipate me in the interim. 

 We liked each other very well for the first twelve 

 ^ours ; but, in pursuance of an old habit of mine 

 with a new purchase, I rode my hunter at a smart 

 pace over the stones, both in going and returning to 

 the city, and the next morning he was dead lame ! 



