THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



scribed, you could not but be sensible of ; and to the expression 

 of sentiments of endearment, what force must it o'ive ! ' 



'And what kind of a man is the hus])and of this fine 

 woman ? ' asked Goodall, for it was to him that Frank Raby 

 was unbosomino; himself. ' I hope he is deservino- of the 

 treasure.' 



' Not he, indeed,' replied our hero ; ' he appears scarcely 

 conscious of possessinf]^ such a jewel. If I had such a wife, I 

 think I should never be able to keep my eyes oft' her person ; 

 whereas, although she was the finest and best-dressed woman 

 at the ball at which I met her, I never once saw him even 

 look upon her — certainly not in admiration. Then I am told 

 he is equally indiffei'ent at all times. She likes riding, and is 

 a beautiful horse-woman, but a groom is her general attendant. 

 She likes female, societ3% but her husband does not, and few of 

 her sex are asked to visit her. She is musical, but I am told 

 he never quits the dining-room in time to hear a note of it.' 



'He is in danger, I think,' observed Goodall, with a signi- 

 ficant wink of the eye ; ' and especially if yon ' 



' Nonsense,' observed Frank ; ' a more virtuous woman never 

 lived. I confess I was much stricken with her that night at 

 the ball, and danced twice with her. Perhaps I may never 

 see her again ; and perhaps it will be well for me that I never 

 do. In fact, when I handed her into her carriage, I seemed to 

 wish to bid her a final adieu ; and as it drove from the door, 

 with her cold-hearted husband by her side, I muttered to myself 

 these lines : — 



" Since thoii would'st needs, bewitclied bj' some ill cliarni.s. 

 Be buried in these monumental arms ; 

 All I can say is, may the earth lie light 

 Upon thy tender limljs : and so good-night."' 



But to return to the party at the Abbc}'. 



' I am somewhat uueasj^,' said Ladj^ Charlotte to Mr. 

 Egerton, after a few days had expired since the night of the 

 gay ball, ' about your friend Francis. I really think the silly 

 boy fancies himself in love with that beautiful, and, I believe, 

 very excellent person, Mrs. Denham. Emma tells me he is 

 always talking about her, and he says he would have his right 

 arm cut off", on condition that he could make her his wife. It 

 is trul}' ridiculous : but he seems to verify" the proverb of " love 



145 K 



