h, very soon led the charge against Lord Scamperdale.

'Oh, what a lovely horse that is you were riding,' observed she, as his
lordship kept stooping with both his little red fists close into the bars
of the grate.

'Isn't it!' exclaimed he, rubbing his hands heartily together. 'Isn't it!'
repeated he, adding, 'that's what I call a clipper.'

'Why do you call it so?' asked she.

'Oh, I don't mean that clipper is its name,' replied he; 'indeed, we call
her Cherry Bounce in the stable--but she's what they call a clipper--a good
'un to go, you know,' continued he, staring at the fair speaker through his
great, formidable spectacles.

We believe there is nothing frightens a woman so much as staring at her
through spectacles. A barrister in barnacles is a far more formidable
cross-examiner than one without. But, to his lordship's back.

'Will he eat bread out of your hand?' asked Amelia, adding, 'I _should_ so
like a horse that would eat bread out of my hand.'

'Oh yes; or cheese either,' replied his lordship, who was a bit of a wag,
and as likely to try a horse with one as the other.

'Oh, how delightful! what a charming horse!' exclaimed Amelia, turning her
fine eyes up to the ceiling.

'Are you fond of horses?' asked his lordship, smacking one hand against the
other, making a noise like the report of a pistol.

'Oh, so fond!' exclaimed Amelia, with a start; for she hadn't got through
her favourite, and, as she thought, most attractive attitude.

'Well, now, that's nice,' said his lordship, giving his other hand a
similar bang, adding, 'I like a woman that's fond of horses.'

'Then 'Melia and you'll 'gree nicely,' observed Mrs. Jawleyford, who was
always ready to give a helping hand to her own daughters, at least.

'I don't doubt it!' replied his lordship, with emphasis, and a third bang
of his hand, louder if possible than before. 'And do _you_ like horses?'
asked his lordship, darting sharply round on Emily, who had been yielding,
or rather submitting, to the precedence of her sister.

'Oh yes; and hounds, too!' replied she eagerly.

'And hounds, too!' exclaimed his lordship, with a start, and another hearty
bang of the fist, adding, 'well, now, I like a woman that likes hounds.'

Amelia frowned at the unhandsome march her sister had stolen upon her. Just
then in came Jawleyford, much to the annoyance of all parties. A host
should never show before the dressing-bell rings.

When that glad sound was at l