"the old blood." 17 



" Then you'll lose- 



An impatient wave of Sir Digby's hand checked the con- 

 clusion of the sentence. 



" That I have done since I was possessed of anything to part 

 withal," rejoined his master. " If I continue to lose," added he, 

 turning upon his heel, " the future will be but a profitless 

 reflection of the past." 



CHAPTER HI. 



TOBY. 



Some time before the rudiments of my " breaking in " were 

 completed, I learned that Sir Digby's scruples, concerning the 

 policy of putting me into training, had been overcome, and that 

 it was determined I should be on my way to Newmarket in the 

 course of a few weeks. My strength and spirits increased daily 

 under the judicious and watchful care I met with at the hands 

 of our head groom ; but with my improvement in condition I 

 felt my temper becoming far more irritable, and that which 

 formerly I should have taken but little notice of, now excited 

 me to an extent scarcely to be described. Any one I did not 

 know, or anything unusual coming within range of my heels, 

 I could scarcely refrain from kicking with full force and a ready 

 will. An unexpected sound startled me, and the quick step of 

 a horse, whether far or near, made me fret, and feel disposed to 

 break away from the hand which held me. Even the sharp 

 closing of the door of my box caused me to spring, and I could 

 scarcely submit to be " rubbed down," by the lad appointed to 

 confine his attentions to my wants and comforts. 



"The old blood," remarked Robert, superintending one of 

 my early matin dressings. " The old blood,^' repeated he. " Be 

 tender vritii him, Harry, and careful o' yourself. He doesn't 

 mean mischief; but if he should catch ye a Avipe in his play 

 there's no answerin' for it's not bein' a rough-un." 



"I don't think hed 'urt me or the cat, sir," quickly replied 



