"Illegal imprisonment, my lord."
"Very well; if it is any convenience to you, Mr. Wallsend, I will take it last."
By the look of the young man it seemed of no great convenience.
"That will give your witnesses time to be here, I hope."
The counsel shook his head, and then began to say that the fact was that his client had an engagement, and his lordship would see it was the great race of the year.
"I do not like these applications made in this random manner. I am willing to oblige the parties in all cases if I can, but these constant motions to postpone interfere very much with the public convenience, and I mean to say that the public are to be considered."
Now came the gentleman who never attended races, and devoted himself to business. He could not have told you the name of a horse to save his life. But he also made his application to postpone a case until Thursday. Delightful day, Thursday; such a convenient day, too—between the Derby and the Oaks.
Said my lord, who was very friendly to the learned counsel, and liked him not only as a member of his old circuit, but as a brother Bencher and a clever advocate,—
"Oh, I see; I see where you want to be to-morrow."
"My lord!"