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where he came from, and the situation of his property; for as yet, it must be remembered, he knew nothing of our friend, save what he had gleaned at Laverick Wells, where certainly all parties concurred in placing him high on the list of desirables, while Sponge wanted to talk about hunting, the meets of the hounds, and hear what sort of a man Lord Scamperdale was. So they kept playing at cross-purposes, without either getting much out of the other. Jawleyfords intimacy with Lord Scamperdale seemed to have diminished with propinquity, for he now no longer talked of him -- Scamperdale this, and Scamperdale that -- Scamperdale, with whom he could do anything he liked; but he called him My Lord Scamperdale, and spoke of him in a reverent and becoming way. Distance often lends boldness to the tongue, as the poet Campbell says it Lends enchantment to the view, There are few great men who havent a dozen people, at least, who keep them right, as they call it. To hear some of the creatures talk, one would fancy a lord was a lunatic as a matter of course. Spigot at last put an end to their efforts by announcing that tea and coffee were ready! just as Mr Sponge buzzed his bottle of port. They then adjourned from the gloom of the large oak-wainscoted dining-room, to the effulgent radiance of the well-lit, highly-gilt drawing-room, where our fair friends had commenced talking Mr Sponge over as soon as they retired from the dining-room. And what do you think of him? asked mamma Oh, I think hes very well, replied Emily, gaily. I should say he was very toor-lerable, drawled Miss Jawleyford, who reckoned herself rather a judge, and indeed had had some experience of gentlemen. Tolerable, my dear! rejoined Mrs Jawleyford, I should say hes very well -- rather distinguée, indeed. I shouldnt say that, replied Miss Jawleyford; his height and figure are certainly in his favour, but he isnt quite my idea of a gentleman. He is evidently on good terms with himself; but I should say, if it wasnt for his forwardness, hed be awkward and uneasy. Hes a foxhunter, you know, observed Emily. Well, but I dont know that that should make him different to other people, rejoined her sister. Captain Curzon, and Mr Lancaster, and Mr Preston, were all foxhunters; but they didnt stare, and blurt, and kick their legs about, as this man does. Oh, you are so fastidious! rejoined her mamma; you must take men as you find them. I wonder where he lives? observed Emily, who was quite ready to take our friend as he was. I wonder where he does live? chimed in Mrs Jawleyford, for the suddenness of the descent had given them no time for enquiry. Somebody said Manchester, observed Miss Jawleyford, drily. So much the better, observed Mrs Jawleyford, for then he is sure to have plenty of money. Law, ma! but you dont spose pa would ever allow such a thing, retorted Miss, recollecting her papas frequent exhortations to them to look high. If hes a landowner, observed Mrs Jawleyford, well soon find him out in Burke. Emily, my dear, added she, just go into your pas room, and bring me the Commoners -- youll find it on the large table, between the Peerage and the Wellington Despatches. |
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