MR. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR. 229 



Bhe, as his lordship kept stooping with both his little red fists close 

 into the bars of the grate. 



" Isn't it ! " exclaimed he, rubbing his hands heartily together. 

 " Isn't it ! " repeated he ; adding, " That's what I call a clipper." 



" Why do you call it so ? " asked she. 



" Oh, I don't mean that clipper is its name," replied he ; 

 " indeed, we call her Cherry Bounce in the stable, — but she's what 

 they call a clipper — a good 'un to go, you know," continued he, 

 staring at the fair speaker through his great, formidable 

 spectacles. 



We believe there is nothing frightens a woman so much as 

 staring at her through spectacles. A barrister in barnacles is a 

 far more formidable cross-examiner than one without. But, to 

 his lordship's hack. 



"Will he eat bread out of your hand ? " asked Amelia ; adding, 

 " I should so like a horse that would eat bread out of my hand." 



" Oh, yes ; or cheese either," replied his lordship, who was a bit 

 of a wag, and as likely to try a horse with one as the other. 



" Oh, how delightful ! what a charming horse ! " exclaimed 

 Amelia, turning her fine eyes up to the ceiling. 



"Are you fond of horses ? " asked his lordship, smacking one 

 hand against the other, making a noise like the report of a pistol. 



" Oh, so fond ! " exclaimed Amelia, with a start ; for she hadn't 

 got through her favourite, and, as she thought, most attractive 

 attitude. 



" Well, now, that's nice," said his lordship, giving his other 

 hand a similar bang ; adding, " I like a woman that's fond of 

 horses." 



"Then 'Melia and you'll 'gree nicely," observed Mrs. Jawley- 

 ford, who was always ready to give a helping hand to her own 

 daughters, at least. 



" I don't doubt it ! " replied his lordship, with emphasis, and a 

 third bang of his hand, louder if possible than before. " And do 

 you like horses ? " asked his lordship, darting sharply round on 

 Emily, who had been yielding, or rather submitting, to the 

 precedence of her sister. 



" Oh, yes ; and hounds, too ! " replied she, eagerly. 



" And hounds, too ! " exclaimed his lordship, with a start, and 

 another hearty bang of the fist ; adding, " Well, now, I like a 

 woman that likes hounds." 



Amelia frowned at the unhandsome march her sister had stolen 

 upon her. Just then in came Jawleyford, much to the annoyance 

 of all parties. A host should never show before the dressing-bell 

 rings. 



When that glad sound was at length heard, the ladies, as usual, 

 immediately withdrew ; and of course the first thing Amelia did 



