the closer to this king of the game. He seemed determined to
maintain his right to his place as an onlooker, as well as any of
those engaged in the game, and, if they had tried him at an
argument, he would have carried his point; or perhaps he wished
to quarrel with this spark of his jealousy and aversion, and draw
the attention of the gay crowd to himself by these means; for, like
his guardian, he knew no other pleasure but what consisted in
opposition. George took him for some impertinent student of
divinity, rather set upon a joke than anything else. He perceived a
lad with black clothes, and a methodistical face, whose
countenance and eye he disliked exceedingly, several times in his
way, and that was all the notice he took of him the first time they
two met. But the next day, and every succeeding one, the same
devilish-looking youth attended him as constantly as his shadow;
was always in his way as with intention to impede him and ever
and anon his deep and malignant eye met those of his elder
brother with a glance so fierce that it sometimes startled him.

The very next time that George was engaged at tennis, he had
not struck the ball above twice till the same intrusive being was
again in his way. The party played for considerable stakes that
day, namely, a dinner and wine at the Black Bull tavern; and
George, as the hero and head of his party, was much interested in
its honour; consequently the sight of this moody and
hellish-looking student affected him in no very pleasant manner.
"Pray Sir, be so good as keep without the range of the ball", said
he.

"Is there any law or enactment that can compel me to do so?" said
the other, biting his lip with scorn.