36 Hunting in the Golden Days. 



as there is a young gamekeeper in attendance at whom 

 the girl has been setting her cap for some weeks past, 

 these worthies' aspirations are dashed to the ground. 

 The comfortable-looking cook has arrayed herself this 

 evening in a cap with bows of many colours, and 

 during the dance, which has now become fast and furious, 

 anyone can in a moment find out where she is, as the 

 head-gear is a prominent feature in the room. Old 

 Jowles and his late opponent, having discovered their 

 suit to be hopeless, console themselves in a corner of the 

 room by dispensing a huge bowl of punch. The page- 

 boy, or perhaps I should say the house-boy, for in those 

 days they were so denominated in country houses, is 

 romping round with a huge dairymaid, who any moment 

 threatens to carry him off his legs or otherwise do him 

 serious damage. 



The country dance is now formed, and the giggling 

 and laughter of the maids is heard before the min- 

 strels strike up the exciting strains of " Sir Roger de 

 Coverley." Sir John and all his guests take part in this 

 old-established dance, but it is not their intention to 

 remain long, as no doubt the domestics will enjoy 

 themselves more when their presence is withdrawn. 

 Accordingly, when the dance is finished, the house 

 party return to the hall, and settle down to card-games 

 and other amusements. When the gentlemen arrive, 

 they find Miss Janet standing in an interesting attitude 

 under a huge arch leading into an ante-room, just 

 beneath a large bunch of mistletoe. Oldwig approaches 

 Goodbery, and nudging him knowingly in the ribs, 

 calls upon him to improve the occasion by a display of 

 gallantry. 



Now it must be remembered that these gentlemen 

 had dined, and in the days of which I am writing it 



