'Well, it was like this. Lord ---- comes to me a week or two before the Derby, and “Tom,” he says, “I've got a notion. You and me,” he says, “is goin' down to the Derby together,” he says. “I've got a pair of snow-white mokes,” he says, “and I've bought a coster's shallow. I'm having it painted white and picked out in gold,” he says, “and it's going to be upholstered in white satin. Now, you and me, Tom,” says his lordship--“you and me's going to get up in white shoes, white kickseys, white westcuts, white hats, white coats, white ties, and white gloves,” he says. “We'll go down a reg'lar pair of bloomin' lilies!” Well, we did, and it was agreed to be the best turn-out of the day. We was walkin' in the ring when up comes Jones, and, without with your leave or by your leave, he hits me on the nose. Well, I was that soft and out of condition the clarrit was all over me in no time. I was goin' for Jones like a shot; but his lordship he stops me and he says, “Tom,” he says, “you shall fight him,” he says, “for two hundred pound.” I did, and you may believe as I paid him out for that.' We were greatly impressed with this narrative, and I have always thought the regular pair of blooming lilies delicious. I told Tom that I had known the poor old Slasher, and he spoke of him with respectful sympathy. 'He was the right sort, the Tipton was, and I was sorry to take him down. Perhaps somebody 'll come one of these days and lower my colours. It's my turn to-day and somebody else's to-morrow.' I vex the shades no more. Their form of valour is no longer known amongst us; but there are some who regret. I find pathetics among them, and quaint humours, in my memory. The End Printed By Spottiswoods And Co., New-Street Square London End of Project Gutenberg's The Making Of A Novelist, by David Christie Murray