rules and regulations of the place.

Far from being satisfied with the Knight's excuses, she said she
was sure he was no gentleman; and when the Master of the
Ceremonies offered to hand her into the chair, she rapped him
over the knuckles with her fan. My uncle's footman being still at
the door, she and Chowder got into the same vehicle, and were
carried off amidst the jokes of the chairmen and other populace --
I had been riding out on Clerkendown, and happened to enter just
as the fracas was over -- The Baronet, coming up to me with an
affected air of chagrin, recounted the adventure; at which I
laughed heartily, and then his countenance cleared up. 'My dear
soul (said he) when I saw a sort of a wild baist, snarling with
open mouth at the Master of the Ceremonies, like the red cow
going to devour Tom Thumb, I could do no less than go to the
assistance of the little man; but I never dreamt the baist was
one of Mrs Bramble's attendants -- O! if I had, he might have made
his breakfast upon Derrick and welcome -- But you know, my dear
friend, how natural it is for us Irishmen to blunder, and to take
the wrong sow by the ear -- However, I will confess judgment, and
cry her mercy; and it is to be hoped, a penitent sinner may be
forgiven.' I told him, that as the offence was not voluntary of
his side, it was to be hoped he would not find her implacable.

But, in truth, all this concern was dissembled. In his approaches
of gallantry to Mrs Tabitha, he had been misled by a mistake of
at least six thousand pounds, in the calculation of her fortune;
and in this particular he was just undeceived. He, therefore,
seized the first opportunity of incurring her displeasure
decently, in such a manner as would certainly annihilate the