Our friend Jawleyford was quite a man of fashion in this respect.  He saw Sponge’s preparations for departure with an unconcerned air, and a—­’sorry you’re going,’ was all that accompanied an imitation shake, or rather touch of the hand, on leaving.  There was no ‘I hope we shall see you again soon,’ or ‘Pray look in if you are passing our way,’ or ’Now that you’ve found your way here we hope you’ll not be long in being back,’ or any of those blarneyments that fools take for earnest and wise men for nothing.  Jawleyford had been bit once, and he was not going to give Mr. Sponge a second chance.  Amelia too, we are sorry to say, did not seem particularly distressed, though she gave him just as much of a sweet look as he squeezed her hand, as said, ’Now, if you should be a man of money, and my Lord Scamperdale does not make me my lady, you may,’ &c.

There is an old saying, that it is well to be ’off with the old love before one is on with the new,’ and Amelia thought it was well to be on with the new love before she was off with the old.  Sponge, therefore, was to be in abeyance.

We mentioned the delight infused into Jawleyford Court by the receipt of Lord Scamperdale’s letter, volunteering a visit, nor was his lordship less gratified at hearing in reply that Mr. Sponge was on the eve of departure, leaving the coast clear for his reception.  His lordship was not only delighted at getting rid of his horror, but at proving the superiority of his judgement over that of Jack, who had always stoutly maintained that the only way to get rid of Mr. Sponge was by buying his horses.

‘Well, that’s good,’ said his lordship, as he read the letter; ’that’s good,’ repeated he, with a hearty slap of his thigh.  ’Jaw’s not such a bad chap after all; worse chaps in the world than Jaw.’  And his lordship worked away at the point till he very nearly got him up to be a good chap.

They say it never rains but it pours, and letters seldom come singly; at least, if they do they are quickly followed by others.

As Jack and his lordship were discussing their gin, after a repast of cow-heel and batter-pudding, Baggs entered with the old brown weather-bleached letter-bag, containing a county paper, the second-hand copy of Bell’s Life, that his lordship and Frostyface took in between them, and a very natty ‘thick cream-laid’ paper note.

‘That must be from a woman,’ observed Jack, squinting ardently at the writing, as his lordship inspected the fine seal.

‘Not far wrong,’ replied his lordship.  ’From a bitch of a fellow, at all events,’ said he, reading the words ‘Hanby House’ in the wax.

‘What can old Puffey be wanting now?’ inquired Jack.

‘Some bother about hounds, most likely,’ replied his lordship, breaking the seal, adding, ’the thing’s always amusing itself with playing at sportsman.  Hang his impudence!’ exclaimed his lordship, as he opened the note.