eal difficulty, my lord--" And as he hesitated the Judge said,--

"You want to be elsewhere?"

"Frankly, my lord, that is so."

"Very well; if both sides are agreed, I have no objection. If I am not
trying your case I shall be trying some one else's, and it is a matter
of perfect indifference to me whose case it is."

An hour after in came a brisk junior stating that his leader was
unavoidably absent.

"What is the application, Mr. Wallsend?"

"There's a case on your lordship's list for to-morrow, my lord."

"Yes. What number?"

"Number seven, my lord. I am told number six is a long case, and sure
to be fought. My application is that, as that case will last over
Friday--"

"Friday? Why Friday?"

There was a little laughter, because it happened to be the Oaks day.

"I'm told it's a long case, my lord."

"Yes, but number six has gone, so that you will stand an excellent
chance of coming on about two o'clock, perhaps a little before. What
is the nature of your case?"

"Illegal imprisonment, my lord."

"Very well; if it is any convenience to you, Mr. Wallsend, I will take
it last."

By the look of the young man it seemed of no great convenience.

"That will give your witnesses time to be here, I hope."

The counsel shook his head, and then began to say that the fact was
that his client had an engagement, and his lordship would see it was
the great race of the year.

"I do not like these applications made in this random manner. I
am willing to oblige the parties in all cases if I can, but these
constant motions to postpone interfere very much with the public
convenience, and I mean to say that the public are to be considered."

Now came the gentleman who never attended races, and devoted himself
to business. He could not have told you the name of a horse to save
his life. But he also made his application to postpone a case
until Thursday. Delightful day, Thursday; such a convenient day,
too--between the Derby and the Oaks.

Said my lord, who was very friendly to the learned counsel, and liked
him not only as a member of his old circuit, but as a brother Bencher
and a clever advocate,--

"Oh, I see; I see where _you_ want to be to-morrow."

"My lord!"

It was no use; in spite of the gentleman's remonstrance and
protestations, he said,--

"You may go, Mr. ----, and I hope you will enjoy yourself."

I need hardly say nothing was left of the list by twelve o'clock the
next day, and Sir Henry had