against time for an immense stake. They ran
briskly down the Pool; the gentlemen pointed out the Docks, the Thames
Police-office, and other elegant public edifices; and the young ladies
exhibited a proper display of horror at the appearance of the
coal-whippers and ballast-heavers. Mr. Hardy told stories to the married
ladies, at which they laughed very much in their pocket-handkerchiefs,
and hit him on the knuckles with their fans, declaring him to be 'a
naughty man--a shocking creature'--and so forth; and Captain Helves gave
slight descriptions of battles and duels, with a most bloodthirsty air,
which made him the admiration of the women, and the envy of the men.
Quadrilling commenced; Captain Helves danced one set with Miss Emily
Taunton, and another set with Miss Sophia Taunton. Mrs. Taunton was in
ecstasies. The victory appeared to be complete; but alas! the
inconstancy of man! Having performed this necessary duty, he attached
himself solely to Miss Julia Briggs, with whom he danced no less than
three sets consecutively, and from whose side he evinced no intention of
stirring for the remainder of the day.

Mr. Hardy, having played one or two very brilliant fantasias on the
Jews'-harp, and having frequently repeated the exquisitely amusing joke
of slily chalking a large cross on the back of some member of the
committee, Mr. Percy Noakes expressed his hope that some of their musical
friends would oblige the company by a display of their abilities.

'Perhaps,' he said in a very insinuating manner, 'Captain Helves will
oblige us?' Mrs. Taunton's countenance lighted up, for the captain only
sang duets, and couldn't sing them with anybody but one of her daughters.

'Really,' said that warlike individual, 'I should be very happy, 'but--'

'Oh! pray do,' cried all the young ladies.

'Miss Emily, have you any objection to join in a duet?'

'Oh! not the slightest,' returned the young lady, in a tone which clearly
showed she had the greatest possible objection.

'Shall I accompany you, dear?' inquired one of the Miss Briggses, with
the bland intention of spoiling the effect.

'Very much obliged to you, Miss Briggs,' sharply retorted Mrs. Taunton,
who saw through the manoeuvre; 'my daughters always sing without
accompaniments.'

'And without voices,' tittered Mrs. Briggs, in a low tone.

'Perhaps,' said Mrs. Taunton, reddening, for she guessed the tenor of the
observation, though she had not heard it clearly--'