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gothic arch, exhibited all the stichings and threadings incident to 

 that department of the garment. 



But if Mr. Jawley ford's coat went to " hare," his waistcoat was 

 fox and all " fox." On a bright blue ground he sported such au in- 

 finity of " heads," that there is no saying that he would have been 

 safe in a kennel of unsteady hounds. One thing, to be sure, was in 

 his favour — namely, that they were just as much like cats' heads as 

 foxes. The coat and waistcoat were old stagers, but his nether man 

 was encased in rhubarb-coloured tweed pantaloons of the newest 

 make — a species of material extremely soft and comfortable to wear, 

 but not so well adapted for roughing it across country. These had a 

 broad brown stripe down the sides, and were shaped out over the 

 foot of his fine French-polished paper boots, the heels of which were 

 decorated with long-necked, ringing spurs. Thus attired, with a 

 little silver-mounted whip which he kept flourishing about, he en- 

 countered Mr. Sponge in the entrance-hall, after breakfast. Mr. 

 Sponge, like all men who are " extremely natty " themselves, men who 

 wouldn't have a button out of place if it was ever so, hardly knew 

 what to think of Jawleyford's costume. It was clear he was no 

 sportsman ; and then came the question, whether he was of the 

 privileged few- who may do what they like, and who can carry off 

 any absurdity. Whatever uneasiness Sponge felt on that score, 

 Jawleyford, however, was quite at his ease, and swaggered about 

 like an aide-de-camp at a review. 



" Well, we should be going, I suppose," said he, drawing on a 

 pair of half-dirty, lemon-coloured kid gloves, and sabreing the air 

 with his whip. 



9 Is Lord Scamperdale punctual ? " asked Sponge. 



" Tol-lol," replied Jawleyford, " tol-lol." 



" He'll wait for you, I suppose ? " observed Sponge, thinking to 

 try Jawleyford on that infallible criterion of favour. 



' Why, if he knew I was coming, I dare say he would," replied 

 Jawleyford slowly and deliberately, feeling it was now no time for 

 flashing. " If he knew I was coming, I dare say he would," repeated 

 he ; " indeed, I make no doubt he would : but one dosen't like put- 

 ting great men out of their way ; besides which, it's just as easy to 

 be punctual as otherwise. When I was in the Bumperkin — " 



" But your horse is on, isn't it ? " interrupted Sponge ; " he'll see 

 your horse there, you know. 



" Horse on, my dear fellow ! " exclaimed Jawleyford, " horse on ? 

 No, certainly not. How should I get there myself, if my horse was 

 on?" 



" Hack, to be sure," replied Sponge, striking a light for his cigar. 



" Ah, but then I should have no groom to go with me," observed 

 Jawleyford ; adding, " one must make a certain appearance, you 

 know. But come, my dear Mr. Sponge," continued he, laying hold 



