Nothing, perhaps, could convey a better portrait of the world's spoiled darling than a sight of Lord Mauleverer's thin, fastidious features, peering forth through the closed window of his luxurious travelling- chariot; the rest of the outer man being carefully enveloped in furs, half-a-dozen novels strewing the seat of the carriage, and a lean French dog, exceedingly like its master, sniffing in vain for the fresh air, which, to the imagination of Mauleverer, was peopled with all sorts of asthmas and catarrhs! Mauleverer got out of his carriage at Salisbury, to stretch his limbs, and to amuse himself with a cutlet. Our nobleman was well known on the roads; and as nobody could be more affable, he was equally popular. The officious landlord bustled into the room, to wait himself upon his lordship and to tell all the news of the place. "Well, Mr. Cheerly," said Mauleverer, bestowing a penetrating glance on his cutlet, "the bad times, I see, have not ruined your cook." "Indeed, my lord, your lordship is very good, and the times, indeed, are very bad,--very bad indeed. Is there enough gravy? Perhaps your lordship will try the pickled onions?" "The what? Onions!--oh! ah! nothing can be better; but I never touch them. So, are the roads good?" "Your lordship has, I hope, found them good to Salisbury?" "Ah! I believe so. Oh! to be sure, excellent to Salisbury. But how are they to London? We have had wet weather lately, I think!" "No, my lord. Here the weather has been dry as a bone." "Or a cutlet!" muttered Mauleverer; and the host continued,-- "As for the roads themselves, my lord, so far as the roads are concerned, they are pretty good, my lord; but I can't say as how there is not something about them that might be mended." "By no means improbable! You mean the inns and the turnpikes?" rejoined Mauleverer. "Your lordship is pleased to be facetious; no! I meant something worse than them." "What! the cooks?" "No, my lord, the highwaymen!" "The highwaymen! indeed?" said Mauleverer, anxiously; for he had with him a case of diamonds, which at that time were on grand occasions often the ornaments of a gentleman's dress, in the shape of buttons, buckles, etc. He had also a tolerably large sum of ready money about him,--a blessing he had lately begun to find very rare. "By the way, the rascals robbed me before on this very road. My pistols shall be loaded this time. Mr. Cheerly, you had better order the horses; one may as well escape the nightfall." "Certainly, my lord, certainly.--Jem, the horses immediately!--Your lordship will have another cutlet?" "Not a morsel!" "A tart?" "A dev--! not for the world!" "Bring the cheese, John!" "Much obliged to you, Mr. Cheerly, but I have dined; and if I have not done justice to your good cheer, thank yourself and the highwaymen. Where do these highwaymen attack one?"