ou call the best people, Temple?" asked the other.

"By the best people, I mean the first in rank and station. I am not
speaking of their moral excellence, but of their social superiority, and
of that pre-eminence which comes of an indisputable position, high name,
fortune, and the world's regards. These I call the best people to live
with."

"And I do not," said Jack, rising, and throwing his napkin on the
table, "not at least for men like myself. I want to associate with my
equals. I want to mix with men who cannot overbear me by any accident of
their wealth or title."

"Jack should never have gone into the navy, that 's clear," said
Augustus, laughing; "but let us draw round the fire and have a cigar."

"You'll have to pay your visit to the drawing-room, L'Estrange," said
Jack, "before we begin to smoke, for the governor hates tobacco, and
detects it in an instant."

"I declare," said the parson, as he looked at his splashed cords and
dirty boots, "I have no courage to present myself in such a trim as
this."

"Report yourself and come back at once," cried Jack.

"I 'd say, don't go in at all," said Temple.

"That's what I should do, certainly," said Augustus.

"Sit down here. What are you drinking? This is Pomare, and better than
claret of a cold evening."

And the curate yielded to the soft persuasion, and, seated around the
fire, the young men talked horses, dogs, and field sports, till the
butler came to say that tea was served in the drawing-room, when,
rising, they declared themselves too tired to stay up longer, and
wishing each other good night they sauntered up to their rooms to bed.

CHAPTER IV. ON THE CROQUET LAWN.

The day after a hard run, like the day after a battle, is often spent in
endeavors to repair the disasters of the struggle. So was it here. The
young men passed the morning in the stables, or going back and forward
with bandages and liniments. There was a tendon to be cared for, a sore
back to be attended to. Benbo, too, would n't feed; the groom said he
had got a surfeit; which malady, in stable parlance, applies to excess
of work, as well as excess of diet.

Augustus Bramleigh was, as becomes an eldest son, grandly imperious and
dictatorial, and looked at his poor discomfited beast, as he stood with
hanging head and heaving flanks, as though to say it was a disgraceful
thing for an animal that had the honor to carry him to look so craven
and disheartened. Temple, with the