‘Oh, certainly not,’ replied Jack; ‘there’s no doubt about that.’

‘Well, then, you see, I was thinking,’ observed Lord Scamperdale, eyeing Jack’s countenance, ‘that if you would dine there tomorrow, as we fixed --’

‘Oh, dash it! I couldn’t do that,’ interrupted Jack, drawing himself together in his chair like a horse refusing a leap; ‘I couldn’t do that -- I couldn’t dine with Jaw not at no price.’

‘Why not?’ asked Lord Scamperdale; ‘he’ll give you a good dinner -- fricassees, and all sorts of good things; far finer fare than you have here.’

‘That may all be,’ replied Jack, ‘but I don’t want none of his food. I hate the sight of the fellow, and detest him fresh every time I see him. Consider, too, you said you’d let me off if I sarved out Sponge; and I’m sure I did my best. I led him over some awful places, and then what a ducking I got! My ears are full of water still,’ added he, laying his head on one side to try to run it out.

‘You did well,’ observed Lord Scamperdale -- ‘you did well, and I fully intended to let you off; but then I didn’t know what a beggar I had to deal with. Come, say you’ll go, that’s a good fellow.’

‘Couldn’t,’ replied Jack, squinting frightfully.

‘You’ll oblige me,’ observed Lord Scamperdale.

‘Ah, well, I’d do anything to oblige your lordship,’ 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.

‘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 anyone.’

‘I’spose 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.