404 mr. sponge's sporting tour. 



CHAPTER LXVI. 



MR. SPONGE AT HOME. 



Sponge was most warmly congratulated by Sir Harry and all the 

 assembled captains, who inwardly hoped his marriage would have 

 the effect of " snuffing him out," as they said, and they had a most 

 glorious jollification on the strength of it. They drank Lucy's and 

 his health nine times over, with nine times nine each time. The 

 consequence was, that the footmen and shutter were in earlier requi- 

 sition than usual to carry them to their respective apartments. 

 Sponge's head throbbed a good deal the next morning ; nor was the 

 pulsation abated by the recollection of his matrimonial engagement, 

 and his total inability to keep the angel who had ridden herself into 

 his affections. However, like all untried men, he was strong in the 

 confidence of his own ability, and the sight of his smiling charmer 

 chased away all prudential considerations as quickly as they arose. 

 He made no doubt there would something turn up. 



Meanwhile, he was in good quarters, and Lady Scattercash having 

 warmly espoused his cause, he assumed a considerable standing in 

 the establishment. Old Beardey having ventured to complain of 

 his interference in the kennel, my lady curtly told him he might 

 " make himself scarce if he liked ; " a step that Beardey was quite 

 ready to take, having heard of a desirable public-house at Newington 

 Butts, provided Sir Harry paid him his wages. This not being quite 

 convenient, Sir Harry gave him an order on " Cabbage and Co.," 

 for three suits of clothes, and acquiesced in his taking a massive silver 

 soup-tureen, on which, beneath the many-quartered Scattercash 

 arms, Mr. "Watchorn placed an inscription, stating that it was pre- 

 sented to him by Sir Harry Scattercash, Baronet, and the noblemen 

 and gentlemen of his hunt, in admiration of his talents' as a huntsman 

 and his character as a man. 



Mr. Sponge then became still more at home. It was very soon 

 " my hounds," and " my horses," and " my whips ; " and he wrote to 

 Jawleyford, and Puffington, and Guano, and Lumpleg, and Washball, 

 and Spraggon, offering to make meets to suit their convenience, and 

 even to mount them if required. His " Mogg " was quite neglected 

 in favour of Lucy ; and it says much for the influence of female 

 charms that, before they had been engaged a fortnight, he, who had 

 been a perfect oracle in cab-fares, would have been puzzled to tell 

 the most ordinary fare on the most frequented route. He had for- 

 gotten all about them. Nevertheless, Lucy and he went out hunting 



