Fallen Fortunes

ails you? Have you forgot the

ly by the shoulder. The latter seemed to find it hard to wake; and when his eyes opened at last, there was

y to get a brimming glass of pure cold water from the table. "What has come over them, I don't know. But I like not the change. I liked not the look in Lord Sandford's eyes. He is a

had heard it yet; "and where am I? For sure this room is strange to mine eyes, nor have I any recollection of it overnight; and how come you to

was that you came yestere'en, with Lord Sandford and his friends, to be ready for the match to-day. But beshrew me if I did thi

now but little of what has been passing these last days. Some strange madness seems to have possessed me. I had meant to say farewell to Lord Sandford and his world, and seek mine own fortunes in some other field. Yet methinks I

wenty guineas perhaps. I have it safe in a bag. But surel

ed, and how I lost again and yet again. I take it I am a ruined man, good Dicon. These twenty gu

. But you will win it back again. The luck cannot a

mewhat in this beyond my ken. Lord Sandford desired my friendship and company then, and luck was with me. Now that he desir

, however, knew how faithful and attached was his stanch henchman, and as he went through his morning toil

I trow that he is my enemy. Nay, Dicon, look not so aghast; it will matter little in the future, since to-day I take

He did seem to

eer than that of the butterfly dandy fluttering round the town. But Lord Sandford thought that there was somewhat more than this betwixt us. Of that I am assured. A flame of jealousy swept over him; and when I told him of my resolution, I trow that his suspicions received confirmation. I did not see it then, but I see it now. He thought I left him to pursue my ends alone, and, perchance, to seek to win the lady of his choice. But he spoke nothing of this-only insisted that for this week my engagements should be kept,

uld I could take m

ut ill-gotten gain. I would sooner face life with none of it upon me. I had a few guineas to start with-well, it was more than a few; yet had I spent my time in L

-but the faithful fellow was ready to accept any verdict and any decision made by the man he loved and served; and as h

well for you to be quit for ever of my Lord Sandford's company. I liked him not greatly for your friend; I hate him with a goodly hatred since he shows himself your

en gravely, yet with a certain listless indifference not lost upon the servan

fill our pocket

ur and that of the good steed I shall bestride; but their money will I not touch. I have done with all that. Nay, stare not in such amaze, good Dicon. I have not taken leave of my senses; rather, I trow, I

Adair; but he feared to search too deeply into that matter. She was as far removed from him as the moon in the heavens, and he believed her plighted to another, and that one a man who had stood his friend, even though suspicion, jealousy, and an imperious temper had changed friendship into something very like enmity. Grey never for a moment dreamed of regarding himself as an

ccumulated. And now the end of this mad life of gay folly had come. He had drained the cup to the dregs, and found it bitter to the taste. He had neither liking nor respect for the companions with whom he had associated. Towards Lord Sandford his feelings were very mixed. The power of the man was too great to be shaken off entire

him. He greeted his master with a neigh of recognition, dropped his nose in the extended hand, and stood tranquil and content under Grey's quiet caresses. The glossy coat was satin smooth, the delicate tracery of veins could be disti

r of him to-d

, if you asked it of him," was

ers look? Have

temper too. There's a gray Arab with pace; but he falls away behind, as they all do. I don't think Don Carlos will be troubled long by him. None of the others will take much beating. Pretty to look at, but

boy, soh!" as he lightly vaulted to his seat, and the horse curveted beneath him. "We will take a l

ome cases artificially, to test better the strength and skill of horse and rider. A stream of water with rather awkward banks ran across the course in one place, and in another was a dip in the ground filled with gorse bushes-a nasty place to get entangled in, if the horse could not be persuaded to clear the whole thing with a flying leap. A broken stone wall with a ditch in

the grooms with the other horses looked up to mischief. But I heard them say afterwards that Lord Sandford had not been satisfied with the fie

red streams of people converging to this spot. Some fine carriages had been driven out from London, with bedecked ladies eager to witness the contest. Others had stayed the night

pleased his eye more than rich-hued cloths or velvets. His breeches were of white buckskin cut by Lord Sandford's own tailor, and he wore long boots fitted with silver spurs, albeit he scarcely ever had need of the latter when he bestrode Don Carlos. His scarf was of white silk fringed with gold, and his only adornment was a cravat of fine

his friends was to be starter; and gentlemen were posted at various points along the course to see that all the rules laid down were observed, and that no rider deviated from the well-pegged-out route prescribed for all. The spectators

e two of whom Dicon had spoken, and saw that he had judged well. Then he gave his whole mind to the task in hand, checked

art was spoiled by two other competitors, who suddenly reared at each other, and strove to fight. One iron hoof, indee

e him a few yards the advantage, which, as his rider pressed him hard from the first, and his temper was evidently up, he increased in the next minute to more than a length. T

set his teeth and glanced at his adversary. A collision at the leap might be fatal to one or both, so far as the race went. His rival would not budge an inch-that he saw. With a muttered oath between his teeth, he pulled his left rein, and used his knees. Don Carlos felt, and instantly understood: swerving slightly

d work, and dashing onwards and downwards with the agility of a deer, came neck and neck with his rival, and having passed the Arab, cleared with a bound the treacherous gully, landing true and safe upon the opposite side. The Arab followed in his tracks, his rider taking advantage of

mile of smooth sward, and then the last critical jump; and Grey, knowing himself first, and not knowing what had betided his rivals, sailed happily onward, secure of victory, though he heard behind

arrow from a bow, showing how well within himself he had been travelling so far. The sound of other beating hoofs was fainter now. Grey looke

os faced his task, the motion of his flanks as he took off and rose. Then what was it happened? The sound of a click, sharp and clear-a sickening sensation of falling, sinking, struggling, plunging. Grey felt for a moment as thoug

ards. Dick's white face looked into his own, and the first wo

as been an old well at some time, and it will open with a spring. You have been grossly tricked and

vellous escape. But his soul was stirred within him, and in getting out the horse he saw plainly that Dick had been right, and that some sort of old trap-door concealed an opening into the ground which might have been at one time a well, but was now silted up with sand. By luring the foremost ri

n proclaiming astonishment and indignation. But Grey took no notice of the clamour, only busying himself about his horse; and presently, with some difficul

ing whether he would ever be whole and sound again. Dick was binding up the wound, his face like a thunder-cloud. A knot of persons of all ran

gh and to spare, and I surely have the right to pasture my horse in one; but if the thing should come to my kinsman's ears, give him what is due in money, and I will repay you. Old Jock Jarvis will be your friend. He will rejoice in your company and give you

master; but he saw the need, and he love

eds. I too have made some modest wealth here in this great city. Only tell me whe

answer. "Where I go and how I live, I know not yet; but I will leave word ther