off these spoils of war he was not always likely to know. When he goes
to the Bayonet and Anchor Club now (and he dined there twice during Lady
Raikes's ... in fine, when there was no dinner at home), the butler
brings him a half-pint of sherry and a large bottle of Seltzer water,
and looks at him with a sigh, and wonders--"Is this Captain Raikes, as
used to breakfast off pale hale at three, to take his regular two
bottles at dinner, and to drink brandy and water in the smoking
billiard-room all night till all was blue?" Yes, it is the same Raikes;
Larkyn no more--riotous no more--brandivorous no longer. He gave away
all his cigars at his marriage; quite unlike Screwby, who also married
the other day, and offered to _sell_ me some. He has not betted at a
race since his father paid his debts and forgave him, just before the
old gentleman died and Raikes came into his kingdom. Upon that
accession, Zuleika Trotter, who looked rather sweetly upon Bob Vincent
before, was so much touched by Sir Joseph Raikes's determination to
reform, that she dismissed Bob and became Lady Raikes.

Dolly Trotter still remains in the Paddington Dragoons; Dolly is still
unmarried; Dolly smokes still; Dolly owes money still. And though his
venerable father, Rear-admiral Sir Ajax Trotter, K.C.B., has paid his
debts many times, and swears if he ever hears of Dolly betting again, he
will disinherit his son, Dolly--the undutiful Dolly--goes on betting
still.

Lady Raikes, then, beamed in the pride of her beauty upon Epsom
race-course, dispensed smiles and luncheon to a host of acquaintances,
and accepted, in return, all the homage and compliments which the young
men paid her. The hearty and jovial Sir Joseph Raikes was not the least
jealous of the admiration which his pretty wife caused; not even of Bob
Vincent, whom he rather pitied for his mishap, poor fellow! (to be sure,
Zuleika spoke of Vincent very scornfully, and treated his pretensions as
absurd); and with whom, meeting him on the course, Raikes shook hands
very cordially, and insisted upon bringing him up to Lady Raikes's
carriage, to take refreshment.

There _could_ have been no foundation for the wicked rumor, that Zuleika
had looked sweetly upon Vincent before Raikes had carried her off. Lady
Raikes received Mr. Vincent with the kindest and frankest smile; shook
hands with him with perfect politeness and indifference, and laughed and
talked so easily with him, that it was impossible th