Ravenshoe. By Henry Kingsley.

LORD WELTER'S MENAGE. 225
Roskell's, and were off with the plunder, till he overheard the man
say, "I think that is all, my lady "; after which he was quite
satisfied. The fact was that all the Ascot race plate, gold salvers
and epergnes, silver cups rough with designs of the chase, possibly
also some of the Ascot family jewels, were so disgusted with the
state of things in England, that they were thinking of going for a little trip on the Continent. What should a dutiful wife do but see to
their safe stowage? If any enterprising burglar had taken it into
his head to " crack" that particular " crib" known as the Bridge
Hotel, and got clear off. with the " swag," he might have retired
on the hard-earned fruits of a well-spent life, into happier lands, -
might have " run " for M.L.C., or possibly for Congress in a year
or two. Who can tell?
And, also, if Lord Welter's confidential scoundrel had taken
it into his head to waylay and rob his lordship's noble consort on
her way home, - which he was quite capable of doing, - and if he
also had got clear off, he would have found himself a better man
by seven hundred and ninety-four pounds, three half-crowns, and
a three-penny piece; that is, if he had done it before her ladyship
had paid the cabman. But both the burglars and the valet missed
the tide, and the latter regrets it to this day.
At eleven o'clock that night Lady Welter was lolling leisurely
on her drawing-room sofa, quite bored to death. When Lord
Welter, and Hornby, and Sir Robert Ferrers, and some Dragoons
came in, she was yawning, as if life was really too much of a
plague to be endured. Would she play loo? O yes; anything
after such a wretched, lonely evening. That was the game where
you had three cards, was n't it, and you need n't go on unless you
liked? Would Welter or some one lend her some money? She
had got a three-penny piece and a shilling somewhere or another,
but that would not be enough, she supposed. Where was Sir
Robert's little brother? Gone to bed? How tiresome; she had
fallen in love with him, and had set her heart on seeing him tonight; and so on.
Lord Welter gave her a key, and told her there was some
money in his dressing-case. As she left the room, Hornby, who
was watching them, saw a quick look of intelligence pass between
them, and laughed in his sleeve.
I have been given to understand that guinea unlimited loo is
a charming pursuit, soothing to the feelings, and highly improving to the moral tone. I speak from hearsay, as circumstances
over which I have no control have prevented my ever trying it.
But this I know, — that, if Lord Welter's valet had robbed his
master and mistress when they went to bed that night; instead
of netting seven hundred and ninety-four, seven, nine, he would
have netted eleven hundred and forty-six, eight, six; leaving out
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