ourse without a fall.

The chief and most exciting race of the day being over, the more
aristocratic of the multitude seemed with one accord to turn their
attention to luncheon. The ladies began to unpack the treasures with
which the wells of their cars had been loaded--cold hams--shoulders
of mutton--pigeon pies--bottles of sherry--and dozens of porter soon
made their appearance; and pretty girls putting cork-screws and
carving knives into the hands of their admirers, bid them work for
their food before they ate. Woe betide the young man there who had
no female friends on the course--no one to relieve the pangs of his
hunger, or to alleviate that intolerable delay which seems always
necessary between races.

Then were made engagements for the ball; quadrilles and waltzes were
given in exchange for sandwiches and ale--Lieutenants were to be had
for sherry--a glass of champagne would secure a Captain.

Great was the crowd round Mrs. McKeon's car, and plentiful the
partners who solicited the honour of dancing with Lyddy, Louey, and
Feemy. McKeon was there in all his glory, shaking hands with every
one--praising his mare with his mouth full of ham, and uttering
vehement eulogiums on Gayner between the different tumblers of
porter, which in his joy he seemed to swallow unconsciously. Then
Bob came up himself, glowing with triumph, for he knew that he had
acquitted himself more than ordinarily well. He had changed all
his clothes, for he had been completely drenched by his fall in
the brook; and now, having nearly altogether fasted for the last
forty-eight hours, was not at all disinclined to assist at Mrs.
McKeon's banquet.

He shook hands with her, and all the three girls round, and with
Tony--although he had already done that three times before; and he
began a full history of the race, which we needn't repeat.

"I knew Brickbat was as fat as a bullock; he couldn't keep the pace
up; but I'll tell you what, Tony, if any horse there could beat
Playful, it was Conqueror. But George can't wait--I win fifteen pound
from him--he's made a bad thing of it--lost his horse and all."

"Did you see the horse, Bob, when you came to the big ditch?"

"By my honour, then, I didn't see anything from the time I got out of
the brook. I'd enough to do to sit where I was, and keep the mare's
head straight. When she made the great leap, I hardly felt her feet
come to the ground, she came down so lightly."

While he was speaking, Usshe