proved kind, for the first, and believe me by far the most
formidable of my three tasks, namely, to perform that which each one
of you shall avow to be beyond him, is already accomplished, and I
make bold to say, successfully.

To be particular, you could not but notice the very objectionable
conduct, I might say, the wanton insolence of Sir Harry Raikes upon
the occasion of our last interview. Now, Sir John, you, together
with Sir Richard Eden and Mr. Bentley, will bear witness to the fact
that I not only passed over the affront, but even went so far as to
apologise to him myself, wherein I think I can lay claim to having
achieved that which each one of you will admit to have been beyond
his powers.

Having thus fulfilled the first undertaking assigned me, there
remain but two, namely, to make a laughing stock of Sir Harry Raikes
(which I purpose to do at the very first opportunity) and to place
you three gentlemen at a disadvantage.

So, my dear Sir John, in hopes of soon gaining your esteem and
blessing (above all), I rest your most devoted, humble, obedient,

HORATIO TAWNISH.

"This passes all bounds," says I, tossing the letter upon the table, "such
audacity--such presumption is beyond all belief; the question is, whether
the fellow is right in his head."

"No, Dick," says Bentley, helping himself to the Oporto, "the question
is rather--whether he is wrong in his assertion."

"Why, as to that--" I began, and paused, for look at it as I might
'twas plain enough that Mr. Tawnish had certainly scored his first
point.

"We all agree," continued Bentley, "that we none of us could do the
like; it therefore follows that this Tawnish fellow wins the first
hand."

"Sheer trickery!" cries Jack, hurling his wig into the corner--"sheer
trickery--damme!"

"Fore gad! Jack," says I, "this fellow's no fool, if he 'quits himself
of his other two tasks as featly as this, sink me! but I must needs
begin to love him, for look you, fair is fair all the world over and I
agree with Bentley, for once, that Mr. Tawnish wins the first hand."

"Ha!" cries Jack, "and because the rogue has tricked us once, would you
have us sit by and let Pen throw herself away upon a worthless,
fortune-hunting fop--"

"Why, as to that, Jack," says Bentley, "a bargain's a bargain--"

"Pish!" roared Jack, fumbling in his pocket, "why only this very morning
I came upon more of his