small clarence, and invite the Crumps to dinner at the 'Gar and
Starter'" (this was his facetious way of calling the "Star and Garter"),
"and I'll ride by them all the way to Richmond. It's rather a long ride,
but with Snaffle's soft saddle I can do it pretty easy, I dare say." And
so the honest fellow built castles upon castles in the air; and the last
most beautiful vision of all was Miss Crump "in white satting, with a
horange flower in her 'air," putting him in possession of "her lovely
'and before the haltar of St. George's, 'Anover Square." As for Woolsey,
Eglantine determined that he should have the best wig his art could
produce; for he had not the least fear of his rival.

These points then being arranged to the poor fellow's satisfaction, what
does he do but send out for half a quire of pink note-paper, and in a
filagree envelope despatch a note of invitation to the ladies at the
"Bootjack":--

"BOWER OF BLOOM, BOND STREET:

"Thursday.

"MR. ARCHIBALD EGLANTINE presents his compliments to Mrs. and Miss
Crump, and requests the HONOUR AND PLEASURE of their company at the
'Star and Garter' at Richmond to an early dinner on Sunday next.

"IF AGREEABLE, Mr. Eglantine's carriage will be at your door at three
o'clock, and I propose to accompany them on horseback, if agreeable
likewise."

This note was sealed with yellow wax, and sent to its destination; and
of course Mr. Eglantine went himself for the answer in the evening: and
of course he told the ladies to look out for a certain new coat he was
going to sport on Sunday; and of course Mr. Walker happens to call the
next day with spare tickets for Mrs. Crump and her daughter, when the
whole secret was laid bare to him--how the ladies were going to Richmond
on Sunday in Mr. Snaffle's clarence, and how Mr. Eglantine was to ride
by their side.

Mr. Walker did not keep horses of his own; his magnificent friends at
the "Regent" had plenty in their stables, and some of these were at
livery at the establishment of the Captain's old "college" companion,
Mr. Snaffle. It was easy, therefore, for the Captain to renew his
acquaintance with that individual. So, hanging on the arm of my Lord
Vauxhall, Captain Walker next day made his appearance at Snaffle's
livery-stables, and looked at the various horses there for sale or
at bait, and soon managed, by putting some facetious questions to Mr.
Snaffle regarding the "Kidney Club," etc. to place himself on a friendly
fo