LADY FOXHUNTERS 285 



influenced principally by a desire to extend the social comforts they ha\e 

 realized to the hermits around them, whose single state is the result alone, 

 perhaps, of circumstances, have determined to improve their leisure by 

 promoting, as it lies in their power to do, felicitous unions. To prevent 

 imposition, a trifling sum is required as a proof of sincerity, and nothing 

 afterwards, but on the realization of matrimonial bliss. Both parties 

 mutually bound to secrecy and sincerity. — None but respectable characters 

 need apply, who will be treated with the utmost respect and decency. 



The prevention of imposition is a charming feature in the 

 foregoing. It is hke the hvery stable notice, " for fear of 

 accidents, pay before mounting." Sir Rasper Smashgate had 

 never been reduced to this deplorable state, but the death of 

 his mother, and hearing nothing about matrimony, coupled 

 with his extensive prosecution of the chase in winter, and the 

 attractions of Epsom, Ascot, Limmer's door, club windows, 

 and 3'achts in summer, with shooting in autumn, drew him 

 more and more from the petticoats, till at last disappointed 

 mammas used to speak of him as that " 'orrid man. Sir Rasper 

 Smashgate," and indulge in the usual insinuation ladies deal 

 in against men who don't make up to their daughters — " Poor 

 lost creature ! " and so on. 



We have now run a ring with our hero, and shall bring him 

 back to the starting place to see if Henrietta Cottonwool can 

 run a " ring " with him too. Oh, could but another Diable 

 Boiteux visit the earth, disclosing the secrets of human breasts, 

 as Le Sage's Diable disclosed the secrets of the town, what a 

 real blessing it would be to sighing, dying, suitoring lovers ! 

 When Sir Rasper Smashgate did not cast up at Cottonwool's, 

 what tormenting thoughts racked the mind of poor Henrietta ! 

 Dressed in her new pale blue satin, with a point berthe, and a 

 silver thing like a cow tie twisted in her bright brown hair, 

 and a winter's nosegay in her hand, of which nosegay she was 

 ready to give Sir Rasper any part he asked, or the whole of her 

 hand if he preferred. All this, too, after she had planned the 

 proceedings of the drawing-room, the line of march to the 



