Jack having adjusted his great tortoiseshell-rimmed spectacles, and put on a most consequential air, inquired, like a gambling-house keeper, if they were ’All done’—­had all ‘made their game?’ And ‘Yes! yes! yes!’ resounded from all quarters.

‘Then, gen’lemen,’ said Jack, addressing Pacey and Sponge, who still kept their closed hands on the table, ‘show!’

At the word, their hands opened, and each held money.

‘A deal! a deal! a deal!’ resounded through the room, accompanied with clapping of hands, thumping of the table, and dancing of glasses.  ’You owe me a guinea,’ exclaimed one.  ‘I want half a sovereign of you,’ roared another.  ‘Here’s my half-crown,’ said a third, handing one across the table to the fortunate winner.  A general settlement took place, in the midst of which the ‘watch and appurts’ were handed to Mr. Sponge.

‘We’ll drink Mr. Pacey’s health,’ said Mr. Puffington, helping himself to a bumper, and passing the lately replenished decanters.  ’He’s done the thing like a sportsman, and deserves to have luck with his deal.  Your good health, Mr. Pacey!’ continued he, addressing himself specifically to our friend, ‘and luck to your horse.’

’Your good health, Mr. Pacey—­your good health, Mr. Pacey—­your good health, Mr. Pacey,’ then followed in the various intonations that mark the feelings of the speaker towards the toastee, as the bottles passed round the table.

The excitement seemed to have given fresh zest to the wine, and those who had been shirking, or filling on heel-taps, now began filling bumpers, while those who always filled bumpers now took back hands.

There is something about horse-dealing that seems to interest every one.  Conversation took a brisk turn, and nothing but the darkness of the night prevented their having the horse out and trying him.  Pacey wanted him brought into the dining-room, a la Briggs, but Puff wouldn’t stand that.  The transfer seemed to have invested the animal with supernatural charms, and those who in general cared nothing about horses wanted to have a sight of him.

Toasting having commenced, as usual, it was proceeded with.  Sponge’s health followed that of Mr. Pacey’s, Mr. Puffington availing himself of the opportunity afforded by proposing it, of expressing the gratification it afforded himself and all true sportsmen to see so distinguished a character in the country; and he concluded by hoping that the diminution of his stud would not interfere with the length of his visit—­a toast that was drunk with great applause.

Mr. Sponge replied by saying, ’That he certainly had not intended parting with his horse, though one more or less was neither here nor there, especially in these railway times, when a man had nothing to do but take a half-guinea’s worth of electric wire, and have another horse in less than no time; but Mr. Pacey having taken a fancy to the horse, he had been more accommodating to him than he had to his friend, Mr. Spraggon, if he would allow him to call him so (Jack squinted and bowed assent), who,’ continued Mr. Sponge, ’had in vain attempted that morning to get him to put a price upon him.’