232 MB. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR. 



to the door to assist their egress, now availed himself of Jawley- 

 ford's invitation to occupy an arm-chair during the enjoyment of 

 his " Wintle." 



Whether it was the excellence of the beverage, or that his lord- 

 ship was unaccustomed to wine-drinking, or that Jawleyford's 

 conversation was unusually agreeable, we know not, but the 

 summons to tea and coffee was disregarded, and when at length 

 they did make their appearance, his lordship was what the ladies 

 call rather elevated, and talked thicker than there was any occasion 

 for. He was very voluble at first — told all how Sponge had 

 knocked him about, how he detested him, and wouldn't allow him 

 to come to the hunt ball, &c. ; but he gradually died out, and at 

 last fell asleep beside Mrs. Jawleyford on the sofa, with his little 

 legs crossed, and a half -emptied coffee-cup in his hand, which Mr. 

 Jawleyford and she kept anxiously watching, expecting the con- 

 tents to be over the fine satin furniture every moment. 



In this pleasant position they remained till he awoke himself 

 with a hearty snore, and turned the coffee over on to the carpet. 

 Fortunately there was little damage done, and, it being nearly 

 twelve o'clock, his lordship waddled off to bed. 



Amelia, when she came to think matters over in the retirement 

 of her own room, was well satisfied with the progress she had 

 made. She thought she only wanted opportunity to capture him. 

 Though she was most anxious for a good night in order that she 

 might appear to advantage in the morning, sleep forsook her 

 eyelids, and she lay awake long thinking what she would do when 

 she was my lady — how she would warm Woodmansterne, and 

 what a clashing equipage she would keep. At length she dropped 

 off, just as she thought she was getting into her well-appointed 

 chariot, showing a becoming portion of her elegantly turned 

 ankles. 



In the morning she attired herself in her new light satin blue 

 robe, corsage Albanaise, with a sort of three-quarter sleeves, and 

 muslin under ones — something, we believe, out of the last book of 

 fashion. She also had her hair uncommonly well arranged, and 

 sported a pair of clean primrose-coloured gloves. " Now for 

 victory," said she, as she took a parting glance at herself in 

 general, and the hot spot in particular. 



Judge of her disgust on meeting her mamma on the staircase 

 at learning that his lordship had got up at six o'clock, and had 

 gone to meet his hounds on the other side of the county. That 

 Baggs had boiled his oatmeal porridge in his bedroom, and his 

 lordship had eaten it as he was dressing. 



It may be asked, what was the maid about not to tell her. 



The fact is, that ladies'-maids are only numb hands in all that 

 relates to hunting, and though Juliana knew that his lordship 





