low, one of the best fellows I know, and has asked me to
dine so often that I'm almost ashamed to meet him; and it would have been
such a nice opportunity to have volunteered a visit, the hounds being here,
you see.'

'Oh, that's so kind of your lordship!' exclaimed Jawleyford, quite
delighted--'that's so kind of your lordship--that's just what I
like!--that's just what Mrs. Jawleyford likes!--that's just what we all
like!--coming without fuss or ceremony, just as my friend Mr. Sponge, here,
does. By the way, will your lordship give me leave to introduce my friend
Mr. Sponge--my Lord Scamperdale.' Jawleyford suiting the action to the
word, and manoeuvring the ceremony.

'Ah, I made Mr. Sponge's acquaintance yesterday,' observed his lordship
drily, giving a sort of servants' touch of his hat as he scrutinized our
friend through his formidable glasses, adding, 'To tell you the truth,'
addressing himself in an underone to Sponge, 'I took you for one of those
nasty writing chaps, who I 'bominate. But,' continued his lordship,
returning to Jawleyford. 'I'll tell you what I said about the dinner. Jack,
here, told me the flag was flying; and I said I only wished I'd known
before, and I would certainly have proposed that Jack and I should dine
with you, either to-day or to-morrow; but unfortunately I'd engaged myself
to my Lord Barker's not five minutes before.'

'Ah, my lord!' exclaimed Jawleyford, throwing out his hand and shrugging
his shoulders as if in despair, 'you tantalize me--you do indeed. You
should have come, or said nothing about it. You distress me--you do
indeed.'

'Well, I'm wrong, perhaps,' replied his lordship, patting Jawleyford
encouragingly on the shoulder; 'but, however, I'll tell you what,' said he,
'Jack here's not engaged, and he shall come to you.'

'Most happy to see Mr.--ha--hum--haw--Jack--that's to say, Mr. Spraggon,'
replied Jawleyford, bowing very low, and laying his hand on his heart, as
if quite overpowered at the idea of the honour.

'Then, that's a bargain. Jack,' said his lordship, looking knowingly round
at his much disconcerted friend; 'you dine and stay all night at Jawleyford
Court to-morrow! and mind,' added he, 'make yourself 'greeable to the
girls--ladies, that's to say.'

'Couldn't your lordship arrange it so that we might have the pleasure of
seeing you both on some future day?' asked Jawleyford, anxious to avert the
Jack calamity. 'Say next week,' continued he; 'or suppose y