298 PARTRIDGE MANORS AND 



" ' That is easily done/ he returned, drawing up 

 a small table between us, with a bottle of claret on 

 it, that sent its aroma all over the apartment as he 

 drew the cork. 



" ' You know w how I was served in London ? ' 

 and his face assumed a hard, stern expression as he 

 asked the question. 



" ' Well, yes,' I replied ; ' but you have forgotten 

 all that, Horace ? ' 



" ' I have not forgotten it. I never can forget it ; 

 it was a dreadful blow to me ; but I have forgiven 

 it years ago, and am content with my lot. I left 

 London in disgust, wandered about, and at last 

 found this little spot. I have the shooting of three 

 thousand acres of land — ten acres for my two cows 

 — I am as happy as possible. I breed lots of 

 those/ pointing to his setters, who were lying about ; 

 ' and they pay me well. I have poultry, pigs, 

 shooting — the woodcock and snipe shooting is 

 particularly good in the season — and fishing in 

 abundance ; as good a cob as any man need possess ; 

 deny myself nothing in reason, and never know 

 what a dull hour is. But you will sleep here, for I 

 have already found out where you were, and sent 

 for your things.' 



" I never passed a happier evening than I did 

 with my long-lost friend ; we smoked our cigars 



