A RENCONTRE. 221 



the social board, his conversation, when 

 on field-sports, or anything relating 

 thereto, was highly entertaining. 



I was standing under the " George " 

 gateway, in the High Street, having 

 just then returned with him from a run 

 with the HambLeden hounds, early in 

 the evening, though it was dark, and 

 conversing on the occurrences of the 

 day, when a female, in passing, stepped 

 on one side, and said, calling him by 

 name : 



" Surely you will not see a female 

 insulted ? " 



Advancing a step or two into the 

 street, he I supposed inadvertently 

 said : 



" I am sure no gentleman would persist 

 in insulting a female." 



The word was sufficient, for an officer 

 in the undress uniform of the Royal 

 Artillery immediately addressed him, and, 

 after a very few words, put his card 



