replied Jack, thinking
of the corner in the will. 'I'd do anything to oblige your lordship: but
the fact is, sir, I'm not prepared to go. I've lost my specs--I've got no
swell clothes--I can't go in the Stunner tartan,' added he, eyeing his
backgammon-board-looking chest, and diving his hands into the capacious
pockets of his shooting-jacket.

[Illustration]

'I'll manage all that,' replied his lordship; 'I've got a pair of splendid
silver-mounted spectacles in the Indian cabinet in the drawing-room, that
I've kept to be married in. I'll lend them to you, and there's no saying
but you may captivate Miss Jawleyford in them. Then as to clothes, there's
my new damson-coloured velvet waistcoat with the steel buttons, and my fine
blue coat with the velvet collar, silk facings, and our button on it;
altogether I'll rig you out and make you such a swell as there's no saying
but Miss Jawleyford'll offer to you, by way of consoling herself for the
loss of Sponge.'

'I'm afraid you'll have to make a settlement for me, then,' observed our
friend.

'Well, you are a good fellow. Jack,' said his lordship, 'and I'd as soon
make one on you as on any one.'

'I s'pose you'll send me on wheels?' observed Jack.

'In course,' replied his lordship. 'Dog-cart--name behind--Right Honourable
the Earl of Scamperdale--lad with cockade--everything genteel'; adding,
'by Jove, they'll take you for me!'

Having settled all these matters, and arranged how the information was to
be communicated to Jawleyford, the friends at length took their block-tin
candlesticks, with their cauliflower-headed candles, and retired to bed.

CHAPTER XXV

MR. SPRAGGON'S EMBASSY TO JAWLEYFORD COURT

[Illustration]

When Mr. Sponge returned, all dirtied and stained, from the chase, he found
his host sitting in an arm-chair over the study fire, dressing-gowned and
slippered, with a pocket-handkerchief tied about his head, shamming
illness, preparatory to putting off Mr. Spraggon. To be sure, he played
rather a better knife and fork at dinner than is usual with persons with
that peculiar ailment; but Mr. Sponge, being very hungry, and well attended
to by the fair--moreover, not suspecting any ulterior design--just ate and
jabbered away as usual, with the exception of omitting his sick papa-in-law
in the round of his observations. So the dinner passed over.

'Bring me a tumbler and some hot water and sugar,' said Mr. Jawleyford,
pressing his head agains