“Ah! my good fellow, I have already cautioned you not to be duped by appearances. A _hanger on_ is a sort of sycophant, or toad-eater, and, in the coffee-houses and hotels of London, many such are to be found--men who can _spin out a long yarn_, tell a tough story, and tip you _a rum chant_--who invite themselves by a freedom of address bordering on impudence to the tables and the parties of persons they know, by pretending to call in by mere accident, just at the appointed time: by assuming great confidence, great haste, little appetite, and much business; but, at the same time, requiring but little pressure to forego them all for the pleasure of the company present. What he can have to do with Sparkle I am at a loss to conceive; but he is an insinuating and an intriguing sort of fellow, whom I by no means like, so I cut him.” Bob did not exactly understand the meaning of the word cut, and therefore begged his Cousin to explain. “The cut,” said Tom, “is a fashionable word for getting rid, by rude or any means, of any person whose company is not agreeable. The art of _cutting_ is reduced to a system in London; and an explanatory treatise has been written on the subject for the edification of the natives.{1} But I am so bewildered to think what can have detained Sparkle, and deprived us of his company, that I scarcely know how to think for a moment on any other subject at present.” 1 Vide a small volume entitled “The Cutter.” ~71~~“It is somewhat strange!” cried Bob, “that he was not with you this morning.” “There is some mystery in it,” said Tom, “which time alone can unravel; but however, we will not be deprived of our intended ramble.” At this moment they entered Piccadilly, and were crossing the road in their way to St. James's Street, when Dashall nodded to a gentleman passing by on the opposite side, and received a sort of half bow in return. “That,” said Tom, “is a curious fellow, and a devilish clever fellow too--for although he has but one arm, he is a man of science.” “In what way?” enquired Bob. “He is a pugilist,” said Tom--“one of those courageous gentlemen who can queer the daylights, tap the claret, prevent telling fibs, and pop the noddle into chancery; and a devilish good hand he is, I can assure you, among those who ----“can combat with ferocious strife, And beat an eye out, or thump out a life; Can bang the ribs in, or bruise out the brains, And die, like noble blockheads, for their pains.” [Illustration: page71 Fives Court]