MAN OF FASHION 1 



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went direct from the metropolis to this second Bath or 

 Cheltenham. Among them was one who might literally 

 be called a man of fashion ; his appearance, manners, and 

 conversation evinced the finished gentleman of the 

 Irish school ; there was that also in his exterior which 

 always marks the military man — an upright carriage, 

 with a sort of hon-hommie expression. His confident 

 brow was accompanied by a full laughing eye and a 

 brilliant complexion ; while the good-natured smile that 

 played upon his lips not only rendered his address at all 

 times agreeable, but would predispose any one in his 

 favour. His figure, too, naturally good, had been 

 improved by his profession. In short, he was a j^erson 

 who, from experience, had a perfect knowledge of the 

 ways of the world, and had himself played a considerable 

 part in it. It was therefore impossible to be in his 

 company for a few hours on the box, without being 

 highly pleased with his conversation. 



From motives that were afterwards explained to me by 

 my brother whip from Warwick, he had taken a house 

 near the road, some few miles the London side of 

 Southam ; had furnished it with every comfort, and 

 formed a respectable establishment. This was intended 

 only as a temporary residence, as he advertised in the 

 provincial papers that he wanted to purchase an estate of 

 some magnitude, in either of the counties of Oxon, 

 Warwick or Bucks. 



As our intercourse was frequent, we became on familiar 

 terms ; and after repeated invitations to accomjDany him 

 to his residence, I promised compliance. Accordingly, 

 on a stated day, leaving a deputy to take the return 



