68 Silk and Scarlet 



men always dined at Sir Harry's at Croxton Race 

 time. There was only one day then. Sir Harry 

 lived when he first came where Lord Wilton does now. 

 It wasn't anything hke so big a house then. You 

 took a look at their new stable and them bricks — 

 clinkers, they call them — before you come off to-day. 

 You've seen nothing better than that in your journeys, 

 I'll be bound. Then he shifted to Burton End. Mr. 

 Maxse and Mr. White lived there before. They chris- 

 tened it " Claret Lodge ;" the name was right enough, 

 I'll warrant it. 



The Gentleman He began a finer style of cooking, did 

 with the Pistols. Sir Harry, at Melton. His cook very 

 nigh got shot one night. He was out lateish, and 

 there was a military gentleman stopping with Sir 

 Harry ; never done firing pistols. He hears the cook 

 tap about one o'clock at the pantry window, to be let 

 in ; and up he gets and lets fly twice over, at him. 

 Never gave him no time to say who he was. He had 

 to sit on the granary stairs all night : good for no- 

 thing in his profession next morning, and as fierce as 

 blazes. Durstn't go and tap again for his very life. 

 I've heard him give the story scores of times. My 

 word ! he told Sir Harry smack out, that he'd 

 answer for nothing going right with the dishes if that 

 gentleman warn't sent ofi"; so Sir Harry gives him a 

 hint. 



His Illness and He always liked to do everything dif- 

 Death. ferent to other people ; always thought 

 he knew better ; rather singular that way ; wouldn't 

 copy no one, or let any one guide him. Once con- 

 demned a whole lot of hounds for next to nothing. 

 He'd have been master yet. What chopping and 

 changing there's been with them Quorn hounds since. 

 I never see any one quite so keen of the whole thing 

 as Sir Harry. So good to his men, and every one, no 

 matter who, if he only did right. Poor fellow ! he 

 wouldn't be very much above thirty when he died. 



