Mr. Drummle looked at me, and then at my boots, and then said, "Oh!" and laughed.

     "Are you amused, Mr. Drummle?"

     "No," said he, "not particularly. I am going out for a ride in the saddle. I mean to explore those marshes for amusement. Out-of-the-way villages there, they tell me. Curious little public-houses--and smithies--and that. Waiter!"

     "Yes, sir."

     "Is that horse of mine ready?"

     "Brought round to the door, sir."

     "I say. Look here, you sir. The lady won't ride to-day; the weather won't do."

     "Very good, sir."

     "And I don't dine, because I'm going to dine at the lady's."

     "Very good, sir."

     Then, Drummle glanced at me, with an insolent triumph on his great-jowled face that cut me to the heart, dull as he was, and so exasperated me, that I felt inclined to take him in my arms (as the robber in the story-book is said to have taken the old lady) and seat him on the fire.