SPRAGGON,-- 'I am sorry to be obliged to put you off; but since I came in from hunting I have been attacked with influenza, which will incapacitate me from the enjoyment of society at least for two or three days.

I therefore think the kindest thing I can do is to write to put you off; and, in the hopes of seeing both you and my lord at no distant day.
'I remain, dear sir, yours sincerely, 'CHARLES JAMES JAWLEYFORD, '_Jawleyford Court._ 'TO JOHN SPRAGGON, ESQ., &c.

&c.

&c.' This he sealed with the great seal of Jawleyford Court--a coat of arms containing innumerable quarterings and heraldic devices.

Having then refreshed his memory by looking through a bundle of bills, and selected the most threatening of the lawyers' letters to answer the next day, he proceeded to keep up the delusion of sickness, by retiring to sleep in his dressing-room.