ntended to include the labouring class; for Mr.
Travers had an especial dislike to the custom of exhibiting peasants
at feeding-time, as if they were so many tamed animals of an inferior
species. When he entertained work-people, he made them comfortable in
their own way; and peasants feel more comfortable when not invited to be
stared out of countenance.

"Well, Lethbridge," said Mr. Travers, "where is the young gladiator you
promised to bring?"

"I did bring him, and he was by my side not a minute ago. He has
suddenly given me the slip: 'abiit, evasit, erupit.' I was looking round
for him in vain when you accosted me."

"I hope he has not seen some guest of mine whom he wants to fight."

"I hope not," answered the Parson, doubtfully. "He's a strange fellow.
But I think you will be pleased with him; that is, if he can be found.
Oh, Mr. Saunderson, how do you do? Have you seen your visitor?"

"No, sir, I have just come. My mistress, Squire, and my three girls; and
this is my son."

"A hearty welcome to all," said the graceful Squire; (turning to
Saunderson junior), "I suppose you are fond of dancing. Get yourself a
partner. We may as well open the ball."

"Thank you, sir, but I never dance," said Saunderson junior, with an air
of austere superiority to an amusement which the March of Intellect had
left behind.

"Then you'll have less to regret when you are grown old. But the band
is striking up; we must adjourn to the marquee. George" (Mr. Belvoir,
escaped from Mr. Steen, had just made his appearance), "will you give
your arm to Cecilia, to whom I think you are engaged for the first
quadrille?"

"I hope," said George to Cecilia, as they walked towards the marquee,
"that Mr. Steen is not an average specimen of the electors I shall have
to canvass. Whether he has been brought up to honour his own father and
mother I can't pretend to say, but he seems bent upon teaching me not
to honour mine. Having taken away my father's moral character upon the
unfounded allegation that he loved rabbits better than mankind, he then
assailed my innocent mother on the score of religion, and inquired when
she was going over to the Church of Rome, basing that inquiry on the
assertion that she had taken away her custom from a Protestant grocer
and conferred it on a Papist."

"Those are favourable signs, Mr. Belvoir. Mr. Steen always prefaces a
kindness by a great deal of incivility. I asked him once to lend me a
pony, my own being