Their attention was at this moment attracted by the appearance of two persons dressed in the extreme of fashion, who, upon meeting just by them, caught eagerly hold of each other's hand, and they overheard the following--'Why, Bill, how am you, my hearty?--where have you been _trotting your galloper_?--what is you arter?--how's Harry and Ben?--haven't seen you this blue moon.'{1} 'All tidy,' was the reply; 'Ben is getting better, and is going to sport a new curricle, which is now building for him in Long Acre, as soon as he is recovered.' 'Why what the devil's the matter with him, eh?' 'Nothing of any consequence, only he got mill'd a night or two ago about his blowen--he had one of his ribs broke, sprained his right wrist, and sports a _painted peeper_{2} upon the occasion, that's all.' 'Why you know he's no _bad cock_ at the Fancy, and won't put up with any gammon.' 'No, but he was lushy, and so he got queer'd--But I say, have you sold your bay?' 'No, d----n me, I can't get my price.' 'Why, what is it you axes?'{3} 'Only a hundred and thirty--got by Agamemnon. Lord, it's no price at all--cheap as dirt--But I say, Bill, 1 Blue moon--This is usually intended to imply a long time. 2 Painted peeper--A black eye. 3 Axes--Among the swell lads, and those who affect the characters of knowing coveys, there is a common practice of endeavouring to coin new words and new modes of expression, evidently intended to be thought wit; and this affectation frequently has the effect of creating a laugh. ~164~~how do you come on with your grey, and the pie-bald poney?' 'All right and regular, my boy; matched the poney for a light curricle, and I swapped{1} the grey for an entire horse--such a rum one--when will you come and take a peep at him?--all bone, fine shape and action, figure beyond compare--I made a rare good chop of it.' 'I'm glad to hear it; I'll make a survey, and take a ride with you the first leisure day; but I'm full of business, no time to spare--I say, are, you a dealer?' 'No, no, it won't do, I lost too much at the Derby--besides, I must go and drive my Girl out--_Avait, that's the time of day_,{2} my boys--so good by--But if you should be able to pick up a brace of clever pointers, a prime spaniel, or a greyhound to match Smut, I'm your man--buy for me, and all's right--price, you know, is out of the question, I must have them if they are to be got, so look out--bid and buy; but mind, nothing but prime will do for me--that's the time of day, you know, d----n me--so good by--I'm off.' And away he went. “Some great sporting character, I suppose,” said Bob--“plenty of money.”