CHAPTEE XIX. 



A EOUGH TIME AT RUGBY. 



IS APPOINTMENT is the lot of man, and 

 I experienced it to the fullest extent on 

 my arrival at Rngbj, whither I had wan- 

 dered in hopes of seeing the Atherstone, 

 North Warwickshire, and the Pytchlej. On my arrival 

 at that central place for enjoying the noble sport, 

 I found, though London was enveloped in fog, and 

 the pavement was ankle deep in slush, that a clear 

 atmosphere and sharp frost prevailed at Rugby; con- 

 sequently the odds were against my having a gallop 

 in the following morning. 



Awaking in good time, I peered through the 

 windows of the George, and found the earth fast 

 bound in the icy grip of " Jack Frost," and saw at 

 a glance that there was no chance of hunting that 

 day. "It might be worse," I said to myself — far 

 worse in fact — when I found a roaring fire and a 

 capital breakfast awaiting me, on descending to my 

 room in that excellent hotel, denominated the George, 

 or the Royal George, to speak more respectfully ; for 

 did not the Prince Imperial rest beneath the roof of 

 that cheerful and well-managed hostelry, when re- 

 turning from hunting the other day ; and I will ven- 



