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Trollope, Anthony, 1815-1882

"The Eustace Diamonds"

He was what the world calls
penniless, having an income from his father just sufficient to keep him
like a gentleman. He was not much known as a sportsman, his opportunities
for shooting not having been great; but he dearly loved the hills and
fresh air, and the few grouse which were--or were not--on Lady Eustace's
mountains would go as far with him as they would with any man. Before he
had consented to come with Frank, he had specially inquired whether there
was a game-keeper, and it was not till he had been assured that there was
no officer attached to the estate worthy of such a name, that he had
consented to come upon his present expedition. "I don't clearly know what
a gillie is," he said in answer to one of Frank's explanations. "If a
gillie means a lad without any breeches on, I don't mind; but I couldn't
stand a severe man got up in well-made velveteens, who would see through
my ignorance in a moment, and make known by comment the fact that he had
done so." Greystock had promised that there should be, no severity, and
Herriot had come. Greystock brought with him two guns, two fishing-rods, a
man-servant, and a huge hamper from Fortnum and Mason's.


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