These points then being arranged to the poor fellow's satisfaction,
what does he do but send out for half a quire of pink note-paper,
and in a filagree envelope despatch a note of invitation to the
ladies at the "Bootjack":--

"BOWER OF BLOOM, BOND STREET:
"Thursday.

"MR. ARCHIBALD EGLANTINE presents his compliments to Mrs. and Miss
Crump, and requests the HONOUR AND PLEASURE of their company at the
'Star and Garter' at Richmond to an early dinner on Sunday next.

"IF AGREEABLE, Mr. Eglantine's carriage will be at your door at
three o'clock, and I propose to accompany them on horseback, if
agreeable likewise."


This note was sealed with yellow wax, and sent to its destination;
and of course Mr. Eglantine went himself for the answer in the
evening: and of course he told the ladies to look out for a certain
new coat he was going to sport on Sunday; and of course Mr. Walker
happens to call the next day with spare tickets for Mrs. Crump and
her daughter, when the whole secret was laid bare to him--how the
ladies were going to Richmond on Sunday in Mr. Snaffle's clarence,
and how Mr. Eglantine was to ride by their side.

Mr. Walker did not keep horses of his own; his magnificent friends
at the "Regent" had plenty in their stables, and some of these were
at livery at the establishment of the Captain's old "college"