REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 275 



but if this young lady was not a thing of beauty and a joy for 

 ever, those two lumps of cuddle Miss McVean and Miss God- 

 bold were angels indeed, loud rang the plaudits as first one 

 and then the other was deftly arrayed in the dainty fripperies 

 and irreproachable head gear provided by Miss Bertram and 

 Miss Ridley. On seeing Miss Godbold, Harry Abbott who was 

 judging, clapped his hand where he fancied his heart ought 

 to lie and burst forth with 



She looks so lovely as she sways 



The reins with dainty finger tips 



That I would give all worldly bliss 



And all my future hopes, for this 



To waste my whole life in one kiss 



Upon her perfect lips 



and then when he gazed on the delicate looking Miss 

 McVean, whose figure might have vied with that of the Venus 

 of Milo, he spouted 



Sweet charmer who'd not wish to be 

 On desert isle alone with thee 

 Upon that isle I would remain 

 Till Doomsday with you fair McVean. 



Miss Frances McNamara when fully equipped by Mrs. 

 Barrow was seen to have one of those creamy pink and white 

 complexions so common among the pretty maidens of Kent ; 

 her's was a cheek as tempting to bite as a golden pippin, 

 while the suspicion of down lightly lining her upper lip added 

 to the fascination of her decidedly ladylike appearance. Miss 

 Russel was dressed by Mrs. Lyon ; above a pure and excep- 

 tionally modest face was placed a wig which Pymm himself 

 could not have beaten ; it was made of tow and painted 

 yaller ; this otherwise demure damsel had golden hair dang- 

 ling down her back with a vengeance, and had a Curate met 

 her in a country lane he'd have had a fit right away. 



