114 MB. SPONGE'S SPOBTING TOUB. 



there was a pennant flapping at his nose with the words "All the 

 way 3d." upon it ; now folding the wooden doors of a Hansom cab 

 in Oxford-street, calculating the extreme distance he could go for 

 an eightpenny fare : until at last he fell into a downright vacant 

 sort of reading, without rhyme or reason, just as one sometimes 

 takes a read of a directory or a dictionary — "Conduit-street, 

 George-street, to or from the Adelphi-terrace, Astley's Amphi- 

 theatre, Baker-street, King-street, Bryanston-square any part, 

 Covent Garden Theatre, Foundling Hospital, Hatton Garden " and 

 so on, till the thunder of the gong aroused him to a recollection of 

 his duties. He then up and at his neckcloth. 



" Ah, well," said he, reverting to his lady love, as he eyed him- 

 self intently in the glass while performing the critical operation, 

 " I'll just sound the old gentleman after dinner — one can do that 

 sort of thing better over one's wine, perhaps, than at any other 

 time : looks less formal too," added he, giving the cravat a know- 

 ing crease at the side ; " and if it doesn't seem to take, one can 

 just pass it off as if it was done for somebody else — some young 

 gentleman at Laverick "Wells, for instance." 



So saying, he on with his white waistcoat, and crowned the 

 conquering suit with a blue coat and metal buttons. Returning 

 his " Mogg " to his dressing-gown pocket, he blew out the candles, 

 and groped his way downstairs in the dark. 



In passing the dining-room he looked in (to see if there were 

 any champagne-glasses set, we believe), when he saw that he should 

 not have an opportunity of sounding his intended papa-in-law 

 after dinner, for he found the table laid for twelve, and a great 

 display of plate, linen, and china. 



He then swaggered on to the drawing-room, which was in a blaze 

 of light. The lively Emily had stolen a march on her sister, and 

 had just entered, attired in a fine new pale yellow silk dress with 

 a point-lace berthe and other adornments. 



High words had ensued between the sisters as to the meanness 

 of Amelia in trying to take her beau from her, especially after the 

 airs Amelia had given herself respecting Sponge ; and a minute 

 observer might have seen the slight tinge of red on Emily's eyelids 

 denoting the usual issue of such scenes. The result was, that each 

 determined to do the best she could for herself ; and free trade 

 being proclaimed, Emily proceeded to dress with all expedition, 

 calculating that, as Mr. Sponge had come in wet, he would, very 

 likely dress at once and appear in the drawing-room in good time. 

 Nor was she out in her reckoning, for see had hardly enjoyed an 

 approving glance in the mirror ere our hero came swaggering in, 

 twiching his arms as if he hadn't got his wristbands adjusted and 

 working his legs as if they didn't belong to him. 



" Ah, my dear Miss Emley I " exclaimed he, advancing gaily 



