FESTIVITIES AT BAMPTON" HOUSE. 401 



with bumpers all round, and I rayther think some of these good 

 folk will feel werry moist indeed before nightfall." 



Leaving our happy rustics to the full enjoyment of their 

 festival, which did not terminate until darkness stole over the 

 scene, which, as might be expected, had long previously stolen 

 over the senses of many of the guests, so as to render them ob- 

 livious of time and their road home, we will now transfer our 

 reader to the ball-room at Bampton House, which was crowded 

 to overflowing with the bold yeomen, their wives and daughters, 

 and a fair sprinkling of gentility. Of the latter were Sir Lionel 

 Markham and family, the Comptons, Rollestons, all the bachelors 

 of the hunt, with Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom, who had particu- 

 larly begged to be present. The earl opened the ball in a country 

 dance with Mrs. Styles, a fine buxom-looking woman of fifty. The 

 other gentlemen selected partners also among the farmers' wives 

 and daughters, this being the rule to be observed in the first dance. 



Selina Markham seized upon young Hazel for her partner ; 

 and Fred Beauchamp introduced Mrs. Fortescue to the brother 

 of Miss Fairacre, the prettiest girl in the room, whom he had 

 engaged for himself. Bob Conyers, undertaking the part of 

 master of the ceremonies, soon provided for all the dancing- 

 youngsters by mutual introductions. Captain Markham, who 

 was playing fierce attention to Miss Honoria, voted it "a 

 demmed bore" to be pulled nearly off his legs by a strong 

 young damsel, through every couple, down to the bottom of the 

 room. " I say, Fred," he whispered, when left at ease for a few 

 seconds, " I sha'n't have any more of this fun — don't pay, old 

 fellow — just see my Phillis, a full blown peony's a fool to her — 

 demmit ! makes one hot to look at her — heavy in hand as a 

 four-year old. Cut and run, by Jove, Fred." 



" Can't be done, Markham — orders from head quarters for 

 one dance with the rustics ; then please ourselves afterwards. 

 So here we go at it again — cross hands, down the middle and up 

 again," with which the captain was whirled away by his Ama- 

 zonian partner. On crossing hands with his sister, she asked, 

 " Cool and comfortable, Ned, eh % " 



" Demmed uncomfortable, Selina j but you don't catch me 

 doing drill work of this sort again." Immediately after, his part- 

 ner making a false step, could not recover her equilibrium, and 

 holding the captain tight in hand, dragged him down with her, 

 giving him a rattling fall, Fred and his partner rolling over him. 



"My gracious!" exclaimed Selina, "the life -guardsman 

 floored at last ! quick, Hazel, pick him up, or he'll be smothered 

 by that Amazon, who is as heavy as a sack of grains. Oh, me ! 



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