A COMPULSORY INVITATION 49 



dress, and a quart, at least, of the strongest Eau de 

 Cologne, to neutralise the effects of his long-protracted 

 visit to the kennels, before presuming to present himself 

 in a lady's drawing-room. 



To the same impeachment I must also plead equally 

 guilty. We were neither of us fit for any company but 

 our own ; but the Squire, as usual, would not concede 

 his point, and dine we must with him, but we were 

 promised all the aid his house could afford, and at least 

 half an hour to prepare our toilet. The look of resigna- 

 tion with which my poor old friend Codrington yielded 

 to his fate was piteous to behold. 



" Well," he exclaimed, " I suppose it must be done ; 

 but I would rather go without my dinner for a week 

 than sit down with ladies in such a plight as this.'* 



" Oh ! nonsense,'' cried the Squire, " my man will 

 soon set all that to rights, so come along." 



Having reached the Hall, the Squire rang the bell; 

 a footman appeared instantly, as if by magic, at the 

 summons. The orders were, " Send Markham here 

 directly." 



Exit footman — intrat Markham. 



" Show these two gentlemen to their rooms, and see 

 they have everything they require in ten minutes — in 

 short, a complete change of dress." 



" Yes, sir," replied the obsequious valet, bowing low, 

 and about to lead the way, when a loud laugh from 

 Codrington arrested his further progress. 



*' That fellow fit me ! why, bless my soul, all the slop 

 shops in Portsmouth couldn't rig me out offhand in that 

 way." 



" Oh, never mind, sir, we will see what can be done, 

 if you will allow me to show you to your room," — and 



