!"

His reverie was interrupted by the broadly-speaking post-boy yoho-ing to
the one in front, and the next minute they passed the first chaise in an
easy canter; but Brace Norton obtained no view, for, to his great
chagrin, the window on this side--the side occupied by the gentleman--
had the blind drawn down.

"Didn't I do it in style, yer honner?" cried the post-boy, turning in
his saddle to grin.

"Yes--yes; but easy now. Let them pass you." And then to himself the
traveller muttered, "I shall be right next time."

"Is that to be included in the half-guinea, yer honner?" cried the
post-boy, with a leer; but he obtained no answer, save a fierce gesture
not to look back; for now the passing was to be performed by the other
chaise, which in a few moments had again left them behind, while this
time again the susceptible sailor had been doomed to disappointment, for
as the chaise passed, the momentary glance showed him that the lady
occupants head was averted, and that she was talking to her companion.

"But what a neck!" muttered the young man; "and what glorious hair!
What a cluster of braids! Why, she could sit on it, I'd swear, if it
were down. Confound you! will you go on?" he shouted, thrusting his
head from the window. "What are you crawling like that for?"

"Did yer honner want me to be always passing them, widout ever letting
them get first again?" said the post-boy.

"You blundering idiot!" muttered the young man, laughing in spite of
himself. "Drive on, Pat," he said, aloud, "and pass them again."

"Me name's Jeames, yer honner, av ye please," said the post-boy, with
dignity, and for a short distance he drove sulkily on at a very moderate
pace, till the thought that he had not yet obtained the promised
half-guinea prompted him to try and keep his employer in a good temper;
and once more he passed the foremost chaise at a canter, slackening
again in obedience to orders received soon afterwards.

Now every one who has been much upon the road must be fully aware that
there is a feeling existent amply shared by man and horse, which,
however strange the comparison may seem, is fully expressed in the old
saying, that most people like to play first fiddle. Be driving, and
pass the sorriest old jaded brute that was ever verging upon the
cat's-meat barrow, and see if the poor beast does not, for a few
minutes, prick up his ears, and break into a trot to regain his place.
Generally the driver is ready e