"I'm blest if I don't think," muttered Peter, the groom, as he slowly inducted a foot to its stirrup, and then lazily threw a leg over the horse's back, and began to put on his gloves--"I'm blest if I don't think as the higher yer gets up in serciety, the shabbier yer grows. Now, if that 'ere had been, say, a working man, or a lab'rer, and I'd set him upon his pins, and rubbed him down, he'd per'aps not ha' said, `Here's the price of a pint, mate,' but he'd ha' stood a pint, safe; and if it had been a plain gent, such as that young Squire Norton, he'd ha' give a shilling, per'aps 'arf a crown, or one o' them duffing two-bob bits; but as for my fine lord here, he don't so much as say thanky, let alone show you the colour of his money; while, getting up higher still, if it had been a Juke, blow me if I don't think he'd ha' kicked me for what I did. Well, just as they like, and it's all one a hundred years to come. All I can say, though, is, as it served his grand lordship jolly well right, and it was as neat and prettily-planted a blow as ever I did see put in. One--two! one--two! one--two! that was about it," he continued; as, tucking his whip under his saddle-flap, and laying the reins upon the pommel, he began to square with his fists in imitation of the blow he had seen delivered. "He's learned the noble art of self-defence, safe. One--two! one--two! one--two! Hold up, will yer!" he shouted, for in his excitement he had rammed one spur against his horse's side, and the poor animal had plunged sharply so as to nearly unseat his rider, who now gathered up his reins, and cantered after his mistress. He had not ridden far before he came upon Brace Norton, apparently watching for him, in the middle of the road, and ready to slip a crown-piece into his hand. "I think, my man," said Brace, quietly, "that it would be as well if the little unpleasantly you saw between Lord Maudlaine and me were not talked about up there at the Castle." "Dumb as a jockey, sir," said the groom, striking himself over the mouth as he spoke; "but--you won't be affronted, sir?" "Affronted!--no. What is it?" said Brace, smiling. "If you'd--if you'd take that crown back, sir--" hesitated the man. "Take it back? Nonsense! Keep it, my lad." "And just show me how to give that blow, sir. 'Pon my word, sir, I'd rather know that than have half-a-dozen crowns. I never did see such a settler!" Brace laughed, and strode on hurriedly, shaking his head. "Ride on, my man," he said. "Your mistress is a long way ahead." "That's true enough," said the groom to himself, as he looked after the retiring figure; "but he put him down just like a sack o' chaff, that he did; and my lord didn't like it, neither. I'm blest!" he exclaimed, slapping his thigh, and checking his horse suddenly. "Don't say nothing up at the Castle, which I won't; but if there don't come coffee and pistols out of this job, I'm a Dutchman!" Book 2, Chapter XIV. MAGNANIMITY.