1<X> 



MR. SPONGE'S SPOUTING TOUR. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



MR. SPRAGGON AT JAWLEYFORD COURT. 



THE Spraggons 

 are a most 

 respectable 

 family," said 

 he, eyeing him- 

 self in the glass. 

 " If not very 

 handsome, at 

 all events, very 

 genteel," added 

 he, speaking of 

 himself in par- 

 ticular. So say- 

 ing, he adorned 

 himself with his 

 spectacles and 

 setoff to explore, 

 his way down 

 stairs. After 

 divers mistakes 

 he at length 

 found himself 

 in the drawing- 

 room, where 

 the rest of the 

 party being 

 assembled, they 

 presently pro- 

 ceeded to din- 

 ner. 



Jack's amended costume did not produce any difference in Mr. 

 Sponge's behaviour, who treated him with the utmost indifference. 

 In truth, Sponge had rather a large balance against Jack for his 

 impudence to him in the field. Nevertheless, the fair Amelia- 

 continued her attentions, and talked of hunting, occasionally 

 diverging into observations on Lord Scamperdale's fine riding and 

 manly character and appearance, in the roundabout way ladies send 

 their messages and compliments to their friends. 



The dinner was flat. Jawleyford had stopped the champagne 



ENTER MR. JACK SPRAQCON, FULL DRESS. 



