His patron sickened at these praises, and took fire at the last observation.

He affected to undervalue personal beauty, though the opinion of the world had been favourable to himself in that particular.

He said he was at least two inches taller than Greaves; and as to shape and air, he would make no comparisons; but with respect to riding, he was sure he had a better seat than Sir Launcelot, and would wager five hundred to fifty guineas, that he would unhorse him at the first encounter.

"There is no occasion for laying wagers," replied Mr.Dawdle; "the doubt may be determined in half an hour--Sir Launcelot is not a man to avoid you at full gallop." Sycamore, after some hesitation, declared he would follow and provoke him to battle, on condition that Dawdle would engage Crowe; and this condition was accepted.

For, though Davy had no stomach to the trial, he could not readily find an excuse for declining it.