It was as though a concerted signal had been given for a free fight among all the Squire's guests.

The one art that was practiced among them was that of boxing, and almost every man present had a neat way of hitting out with one hand or the other, which he believed to be unique, and the effect of which he was most curious to observe.

The less skillful with their fists used any other weapons that came handy.

The dessert service of Dresden porcelain, elaborately enameled with views of the chief towns of Germany, had once been the marriage portion of a princess, and was justly held to be one of the rarest treasures of Crompton; but it was no more respected now than if it had furnished forth the table of Pirithous.

The plates skimmed about like quoits, and all the board became a wreck of glass and china.