ven't said, mind that, I'll take that for him; all I've
said is, that I wouldn't take less.'

'Just so,' replied Mr. Thornton.

'He's a horse of high character,' observed Mr. Sponge. 'Indeed he has no
business out of Leicestershire; and I don't know what set my fool of a
groom to bring him here.'

'Well, I'll see if I can coax my friend into giving what you say,' observed
Mr. Thornton.

'Nay, never mind coaxing,' replied Mr. Sponge, with the utmost
indifference; 'never mind coaxing; if he's not anxious, my name's "easy."
Only mind ye, if I ride him again, and he carries me as he did yesterday, I
shall clap on another fifty. A horse of that figure can't be dear at any
price,' added he. 'Put him in a steeple-chase, and you'd get your money
back in ten minutes, and a bagful to boot.'

'True,' observed Mr. Thornton, treasuring that fact up as an additional
inducement to use to his friend.

So the amiable gentlemen parted.

CHAPTER XI

THE DEAL, AND THE DISASTER

If people are inclined to deal, bargains can very soon be struck at idle
watering-places, where anything in the shape of occupation is a godsend,
and bargainers know where to find each other in a minute. Everybody knows
where everybody is.

'Have you seen Jack Sprat?'

'Oh yes; he's just gone into Muddle's Bazaar with Miss Flouncey, looking
uncommon sweet.' Or--

'Can you tell me where I shall find Mr. Slowman?'

Answer.--'You'll find him at his lodgings, No. 15, Belvidere Terrace, till
a quarter before seven. He's gone home to dress, to dine with Major and
Mrs. Holdsworthy, at Grunton Villa, for I heard him order Jenkins's fly at
that time.'

Caingey Thornton knew exactly when he would find Mr. Waffles at Miss
Lollypop's, the confectioner, eating ices and making love to that very
interesting much-courted young lady. True to his time, there was Waffles,
eating and eyeing the cherry-coloured ribbons, floating in graceful curls
along with her raven-coloured ringlets, down Miss Lollypop's nice fresh
plump cheeks.

After expatiating on the great merits of the horse, and the certainty of
getting all the money back by steeple-chasing him in the spring, and
stating his conviction that Mr. Sponge would not take any part of the
purchase-money in pictures or jewellery, or anything of that sort, Mr.
Waffles gave his consent to deal, on the terms the following conversation
shows.

'My friend will give you your price, if you wouldn't mind taking his