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CHAPTER XXV. 



" Charles" — the rev. cecil legard — mr. c. w. jervis- 



SMITH death of MISS MEYNELL INGRAM — ELFORD. 



1870-1871. 



" Ah, he is one of the lucky ones ! " So a brother huntsman 

 described Charles Leedham to the writer. And he was 

 not far wrong, for Charles may be said to have been born 

 with a silver spoon, or perhaps, some people might say, 

 a silver horn, in his mouth. He began as second horse- 

 man to Mr. Selby Lowndes in the Atherstone country in 

 1855. When he left Lord Southampton's service in a huff 

 in 1858, he knew that Hoar Cross was always open to 

 him, and that in course of time he must step into his 

 uncle's shoes. Moreover, he was free from pecuniary 

 worries. In the latter part of his life, at any rate, he 

 must have felt that he had enough to retire on at any 

 time. He therefore had little cause to cavil at fortune. 

 Most men would be contented if they had what he had, 

 viz. a position in his native county (for he always gave 

 the impression of a man who considered himself as one 

 set apart from the common herd) ; an office, pleasant in 

 itself, and conferring distinction on its holder ; a com- 

 petency outside of that office ; as much shooting and fishing 

 as he pleased ; good health ; and a freedom of intercourse 

 with his superiors in position, which is vouchsafed to but 

 few in his station. And yet he was not spoilt. It speaks 

 volumes for his character, that, in spite of all this, every 

 master, under whom he served, had nothing but good to 

 speak of him, and felt a real liking for him as a man. 



VOL. I. U 



