"And if you are wise," added Hargate, "take a dip in the sea--boots, helmet, pantaloons, and all."
I obtained permission to fall out, and retired in a state of inconceivable disgust. Towards the carriage where Edith was seated I dared not go; and with a big and throbbing heart I recollected that she had witnessed my disgrace.
"But she shall yet see," I mentally exclaimed, "that I am worthy of her! Once let me cast this foul and filthy slough--let me don her favourite colours--let me win the prize, as I am sure I ought to do, and the treasure of her heart may be mine!--You young villain! if you make faces at me again, I shall fetch you a cut over the costard!"
"Soor dook!" shouted the varlet. "Eh! see till the man that's been coupit ower in the glaur!"
I rode home as rapidly as possible. I throw a veil over the triumphant ejaculations of Nelly at the sight of my ruined uniform, and the personal allusions she made to the retreat and discomfiture of the Philistines. That evening I avoided mess, and courted a sound sleep to prepare me for the fatigues of the ensuing day.
"Here is a true, correct, and particular account, of the noblemen, gentlemen, and yeomen's horses, that is to run this day over the course of Musselburgh, with the names, weights, and liveries of the riders, and the same of the horses themselves!"
Such were the cries that saluted me, as next day I rode up to the race-course of Musselburgh. I purchased a card, which, among other entries, contained the following:--
Mr A. CHAFFINCH'S br. g. GROGGYBOY--_Green and White Cap_. Mr RANDOLPH ns. b. g. CAPSICUM--_Geranium and French Grey_. Mr M'WHIRTER'S bl. g. MASANIELLO--_Peach-blossom and Scarlet_. Mr HARGATE ns. ch. m. LOUPOWERHER--_Fawn and Black Cap_. Mr POUNSET'S b. m. MISS FROLIC--_Orange and Blue_. Mr SHAKERLEY ns. b. g. SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION--_White body and Liver-coloured Sleeves_.
I made my way to the stand. Miss Bogle and Mary Muggerland were there, but so also was the eternal Roper.
"Ah, M'Whirter!" said the latter. "How do you feel yourself this morning? None the worse of your tumble yesterday, I hope? Mere accident, you know. Spiwited cweature Masaniello, it must be confessed. 'Gad, if you can make him go the pace as well to-day, you'll distance the whole of the rest of them."