The evening was beautiful, and there was talk of adjourning to a cool tankard and a game of whist in a summer-house; but the company voted to sit indoors, the ladies declaring they thought the aspect of three honours in their hand, and some good court-cards, more beautiful than the loveliest scene of nature; and so the sun went behind the elms, and still they were at their cards; and the rooks came home cawing their evensong, and they never stirred except to change partners; and the chapel clock tolled hour after hour unheeded, so delightfully were they spent over the pasteboard; and the moon and stars came out; and it was nine o'clock, and the groom of the chambers announced that supper was ready.
Whilst they sate at that meal, the postboy's twanging horn was heard, as he trotted into the village with his letter-bag.

My lord's bag was brought in presently from the village, and his letters, which he put aside, and his newspaper which he read.

He smiled as he came to a paragraph, looked at his Virginian cousin, and handed the paper over to his brother Will, who by this time was very comfortable, having had pretty good luck all the evening, and a great deal of liquor.
"Read that, Will," says my lord.
Mr.William took the paper, and, reading the sentence pointed out by his brother, uttered an exclamation which caused all the ladies to cry out.
"Gracious heavens, William! What has happened ?" cries one or the other fond sister.
"Mercy, child, why do you swear so dreadfully ?" asks the young man's fond mamma.
"What's the matter ?" inquires Madame de Bernstein, who has fallen into a doze after her usual modicum of punch and beer.
"Read it, Parson!" says Mr.William, thrusting the paper over to the chaplain, and looking as fierce as a Turk.
"Bit, by the Lord!" roars the chaplain, dashing down the paper.
"Cousin Harry, you are in luck," said my lord, taking up the sheet, and reading from it.

"The Six Year Old Plate at Huntingdon was won by Jason, beating Brilliant, Pytho, and Ginger.

The odds were five to four on Brilliant against the field, three to one against Jason, seven to two against Pytho, and twenty to one against Ginger." "I owe you a half-year's income of my poor living, Mr.Warrington," groaned the parson.