MR. SPONGE'S SrORTING TOUR. 129 



" This boy'll be after one of the young ladies," observed Jack; 

 " not one of the writing chaps we thought he was." 



" Shouldn't wonder," replied Lord Scanrperdale ; adding, in an 

 under tone, " I vote we have a rise out of old Jaw. I'll let you in 

 for a good thing — you shall dine with him." 



" Not I," replied Jack. 



" You shall, though," replied his lordship, firmly. 



" Pray don't ! " entreated Jack. 



" By the powers, if you don't," rejoined his lordship, " you shall 

 not have a mount out of me for a month." 



While this conversation was going on, Jawleyford and Sponge 

 having risen the hill, had resumed their seats in the saddle, and Jaw- 

 leyford, setting himself in attitude, tickled his horse with his spur, 

 and proceeded to canter becomingly up to the pack ; Sponge and the 

 groom following a little behind. 



" Ah, Jawleyford, my dear fellow ! " exclaimed Lord Scamper- 

 dale, putting his horse on a few steps to meet him, as he came flour- 

 ishing up ; " Ah, Jawleyford, my dear fellow, I'm delighted to see 

 you," extending a hand as he spoke. " Jack, here, told me that he 

 saw your flag flying as he passed, and I said what a pity it was but 

 I'd known before ; for Jawleyford, said I, is a real good fellow, one 

 of the best fellows I know, and has asked me to dine so often that 

 I'm almost ashamed to meet him ; and it would have been such a 

 nice opportunity to have volunteered a visit, the hounds being here, 

 you see." 



" Oh, that's so kind of your lordship ! " exclaimed Jawleyford, 

 quite delighted — " that's so kind of your lordship — that's just what 

 I like ! — that's just what Mrs. Jawleyford likes ! — that's just what 

 we all like ! — coming without fuss or ceremony, just as my friend 

 Mr. Sponge, here, does. By the way, will your lordship give me 

 leave to introduce my friend Mr. Sponge — my Lord Scamperdale." 

 Jawleyford suiting the action to the word, and manoeuvring the cere- 

 mony. 



" Ah ! I made Mr. Sponge's acquaintance yesterday," observed 

 his lordship drily, giving a sort of servants' touch of his hat as he 

 scrutinised our friend through his formidable glasses ; adding — " To 

 tell you the truth," addressing himself in an under tone to Sponge, 

 " I took you for one of those nasty writing chaps, who I 'bominate. 

 But," continued his lordship, returning to Jawleyford, "I'll tell you 

 what I said about the dinner. Jack, here, told me the flag was fly- 

 ing ; and I said I only wished I'd known before, and I would cer- 

 tainly have proposed that Jack and I should dine with you, either 

 to-day or to-morrow ; but unfortunately I'd engaged myself to my 

 Lord Barker's not five minutes before." 



" Ah, my lord ! " exclaimed Jawleyford, throwing out his hand 

 and shrugging his shoulders as if in despair, " you tantalise me — you 

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