We all know that very clever distich concerning the great fleas¹ and the little fleas which tells us that no animal is too humble² to have its parasite³. Even Major Tifto had his inferior friend. This was a certain Captain Green,—for the friend also affected⁴ military honours. He was a man somewhat older than Tifto, of whose antecedents no one was supposed to know anything. It was presumed of him that he lived by betting, and it was boasted by those who wished to defend his character that when he lost he paid his money like a gentleman. Tifto during the last year or two had been anxious to support Captain Green, and had always made use of this argument: "Where the d–––– he gets his money I don't know;—but when he loses, there it is."

Major Tifto had a little "box" of his own in the neighbourhood of Egham, at which he had a set of stables a little bigger than his house, and a set of kennels⁵ a little bigger than his stables. It was here he kept his horses and hounds, and himself too when business connected with his sporting life did not take him to town. It was now the middle of August and he had come to Tally-ho Lodge⁶, there to look after his establishments, to make arrangements for cub-hunting, and to prepare for the autumn racing⁷ campaign. On this occasion Captain Green was enjoying his hospitality and assisting him by sage⁸ counsels. Behind the little box was a little garden,—a garden that was very little; but, still, thus close to the parlour window, there was room for a small table to be put on the grass-plat, and for a couple of armchairs. Here the Major and the Captain were seated about eight o'clock one evening, with convivial⁹ good things within their reach. The good things were gin-and-water and pipes. The two gentlemen had not dressed

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