204 TRAVELLING. 



and coat to suppress the laughter that 

 convulsed me. u Hullo ! " exclaimed the 

 governor, who witnessed the scene with a 

 most serious visage, "you ought to be 

 ashamed of yourself ; why don't you 

 assist.'* 



Remonstrance, however, was for the 

 present totally thrown away upon me. In 

 a short time order and quiet were re- 

 stored, and I became as the gravest. 

 In handing the ladies to their seats, after 

 their refreshment, I apologised for my 

 unseasonable mirth ; and, in answer, I 

 received a gracious smile and a liberal 

 douceur. The hostess was a little dis- 

 composed ; but the horsekeeper was the 

 only material sufferer, as he was compelled 

 to part with his pet at a very reduced 

 price 10s. the author becoming the pur- 

 chaser. 



Stage-coach travelling had now ap- 

 proached, and on most roads had reached, 

 perfection. It could not be expected that one 



