ford Street, calculating the extreme distance he could
go for an eightpenny fare: until at last he fell into a downright vacant
sort of reading, without rhyme or reason, just as one sometimes takes a
read of a directory or a dictionary--"Conduit Street, George Street, to or
from the Adelphi Terrace, Astley's Amphitheatre, Baker Street, King Street,
Bryanston Square any part, Covent Garden Theatre, Foundling Hospital,
Hatton Garden," and so on, till the thunder of the gong aroused him to a
recollection of his duties. He then up and at his neckcloth.

"Ah, well," said he, reverting to his lady love, as he eyed himself
intently in the glass while performing the critical operation, "I'll just
sound the old gentleman after dinner--one can do that sort of thing better
over one's wine, perhaps, than at any other time: looks less formal too,"
added he, giving the cravat a knowing crease at the side; "and if it
doesn't seem to take, one can just pass it off as if it was done for
somebody else--some young gentleman at Laverick Wells, for instance."

So saying, he on with his white waistcoat, and crowned the conquering suit
with a blue coat and metal buttons. Returning his _Mogg_ to his
dressing-gown pocket, he blew out the candles and groped his way downstairs
in the dark.

In passing the dining-room he looked in (to see if there were any
champaign-glasses set, we believe), when he saw that he should not have an
opportunity of sounding his intended papa-in-law after dinner, for he found
the table laid for twelve, and a great display of plate, linen, and china.

He then swaggered on to the drawing-room, which was in a blaze of light.
The lively Emily had stolen a march on her sister, and had just entered,
attired in a fine new pale yellow silk dress with a point-lace berthe and
other adornments.

High words had ensued between the sisters as to the meanness of Amelia in
trying to take her beau from her, especially after the airs Amelia had
given herself respecting Sponge; and a minute observer might have seen the
slight tinge of red on Emily's eyelids denoting the usual issue of such
scenes. The result was, that each determined to do the best she could for
herself; and free trade being proclaimed, Emily proceeded to dress with all
expedition, calculating that, as Mr. Sponge had come in wet, he would, very
likely dress at once and appear in the drawing-room in good time. Nor was
she out in her reckoning, for she had hardly enjoye