"Why, I mean them sketches," said Sir Bingo. "I'll give you a handsome order for them, if you will tell me. I will, on my honour." "Does it concern you particularly, Sir Bingo, to know any thing of my affairs?" said Tyrrel. "No--certainly--not immediately," answered Sir Bingo, with some hesitation, for he liked not the dry tone in which Tyrrel's answers were returned, half so well as a bumper of dry sherry; "only I said you were a d----d gnostic fellow, and I laid a bet you have not been always professional--that's all." Mr. Tyrrel replied, "A bet with Mr. Mowbray, I suppose?" "Yes, with Jack," replied the Baronet--"you have hit it--I hope I have done him?" Tyrrel bent his brows, and looked first at Mr. Mowbray, then at the Baronet, and, after a moment's thought, addressed the latter.--"Sir Bingo Binks, you are a gentleman of elegant enquiry and acute judgment.--You are perfectly right--I was _not_ bred to the profession of an artist, nor did I practise it formerly, whatever I may do now; and so that question is answered." "And Jack is diddled," said the Baronet, smiting his thigh in triumph, and turning towards the Squire and the stake-holder, with a smile of exultation. "Stop a single moment, Sir Bingo," said Tyrrel; "take one word with you. I have a great respect for bets,--it is part of an Englishman's character to bet on what he thinks fit, and to prosecute his enquiries over hedge and ditch, as if he were steeple-hunting. But as I have satisfied you on the subject of two bets, that is sufficient compliance with the custom of the country; and therefore I request, Sir Bingo, you will not make me or my affairs the subject of any more wagers." "I'll be d----d if I do," was the internal resolution of Sir Bingo. Aloud he muttered some apologies, and was heartily glad that the dinner-bell, sounding at the moment, afforded him an apology for shuffling off in a different direction. CHAPTER VI. TABLE-TALK. And, sir, if these accounts be true, The Dutch have mighty things in view; The Austrians--I admire French beans, Dear ma'am, above all other greens. * * * * * And all as lively and as brisk As--Ma'am, d'ye choose a game at whisk? _Table-Talk._