I was exceedingly sorry to lose Mr. Fortescue.  Our intercourse had been altogether pleasant and agreeable, and to myself personally in a double sense profitable; for he had taught me many things and rewarded me beyond my deserts.  Also the breaking up of Kingscote and the disposal of the household went much against the grain.  Yet I freely confess that Mr. Fortescue’s splendid gift proved a very effective one, and almost reconciled me to his absence.

All the horses and carriages, except five of the former, and two traps, I sent up to Tattersall’s.  As the horses, without exception, were of the right sort, most of them perfect hunters, and it was known that Mr. Fortescue would not have an unsound or vicious animal in his stables, they fetched high prices.  The sale brought me over six thousand pounds.  Two-thirds of this I put out at interest on good security; with the remainder I bought a house and practice in a part of the county as to which I will merely observe that it is pleasantly situated and within reach of three packs of hounds.  The greater part of the year I work hard at my profession; but when November comes round I engage a second assistant and (weather permitting) hunt three and sometimes four days a week, so long as the season lasts.

And often when hounds are running hard and I am well up, or when I am “hacking” homeward after a good day’s sport, I think gratefully of the man to whom I owe so much, and wonder whether I shall ever see him again.