.

ON THE KING'S HIGHWAY.
A handsome and remarkably elegant vehicle stood at the door of Lord Claud's lodgings, with two fine horses harnessed to it.
Tom had never seen any conveyance at once so light and handsome, the cumbrous coaches of the times being little to his liking.

He had always travelled afoot or on horseback hitherto, and he had expected to do the same now, when he received his summons from Lord Claud.
That gentleman stood at the door, leisurely drawing on a pair of strong gloves.

He nodded to Tom as he came up.
"It begins to get hot for saddle work," he remarked in his negligent tones; "besides, I want to make trial of this new-fashioned carriage.

I won it from my lord of Gratton three days since; and he boasts that it has been copied from one in the possession of the King of France, who is said to be a monarch of a very excellent taste.