The three elegant French clocks in the drawing-room being at variance, one
being three-quarters of an hour before the slowest, and twenty minutes
before the next, Mr. Hobanob (much to the horror of Jawleyford) having
nearly fallen asleep with his Sevres coffee-cup in his hand, at last drew
up his great silver watch by its jack-chain, and finding it was a quarter
past ten, prepared to decamp--taking as affectionate a leave of the ladies
as if he had been going to China. He was followed by Mr. Jawleyford, to see
him pocket his pumps, and also by Mr. Sponge, to see what sort of a night
it was.
The sky was clear, stars sparkled in the firmament, and a young crescent
moon shone with silvery brightness o'er the scene.
'That'll do,' said Sponge, as he eyed it; 'no haze there. Come,' added he
to his papa-in-law, as Hobanob's steps died out on the terrace, 'you'd
better go to-morrow.'
'Can't,' replied Jawleyford; 'go next day, perhaps--Scrambleford
Green--better place--much. You may lock up,' said he, turning to Spigot,
who, with both footmen, was in attendance to see Mr.
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