His lordship and Jack then dismounted, and gave their hacks in charge of
the servant; while Wake, and Fyle, and Archer, who were also of the party,
scanned the countenances of the surrounding idlers, to see in whose hands
they had best confide their nags.
In Lord Scamperdale stamped, followed by his train-band bold, and Maria,
the maid, being duly stationed in the passage, threw open the parlour door
on the left, and discovered Mrs. Springwheat sitting in attitude.
'Well, my lady, and how are you?' exclaimed his lordship, advancing gaily,
and seizing both her pretty hands as she rose to receive him. 'I declare,
you look younger and prettier every time I see you.'
'Oh! my lord,' simpered Mrs. Springwheat, 'you gentlemen are always so
complimentary.'
'Not a bit of it!' exclaimed his lordship, eyeing her intently through his
silver spectacles, for he had been obliged to let Jack have the other pair
of tortoiseshell-rimmed ones. 'Not a bit of it,' repeated his lordship. 'I
always tell Jack you are the handsomest woman in Christendom; don't I,
Jack?' inquired his lordship, appealing to his factotum.
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