TheWellesburnmatchwasplayedoutwithgreatsuccessyesterday，theSchoolwinningbythreewickets；andto-daythegreateventofthecricketingyear，theMarylebonematch，isbeingplayed。Whatamatchithasbeen！TheLondonelevencamedownbyanafternoontrainyesterday，intimetoseetheendoftheWellesburnmatch；andassoonasitwasover，theirleadingmenandumpireinspectedtheground，criticisingitratherunmercifully。ThecaptainoftheSchooleleven，andoneortwoothers，whohadplayedtheLord’smatchbefore，andknewoldMr。
AislabieandseveraloftheLord’smen，accompaniedthem；whiletherestoftheelevenlookedonfromundertheThreeTreeswithadmiringeyes，andaskedoneanotherthenamesoftheillustriousstrangers，andrecountedhowmanyrunseachofthemhadmadeinthelatematchesinBell’sLife。Theylookedsuchhard-bitten，wiry，whiskeredfellowsthattheiryoungadversariesfeltratherdespondingastotheresultofthemorrow’smatch。Thegroundwasatlastchosen，andtwomensettoworkuponittowaterandroll；andthen，therebeingyetsomehalf-hourofdaylight，someonehadsuggestedadanceontheturf。Theclosewashalffullofcitizensandtheirfamilies，andtheideawashailedwithenthusiasm。Thecornopeanplayerwasstillontheground。InfiveminutestheelevenandhalfadozenoftheWellesburnandMarylebonemengotpartnerssomehoworanother，andamerrycountry-dancewasgoingon，towhicheveryoneflocked，andnewcouplesjoinedineveryminute，tilltherewereahundredofthemgoingdownthemiddleandupagain；andthelonglineofschoolbuildingslookedgravelydownonthem，everywindowglowingwiththelastraysofthewesternsun；andtherooksclangedaboutinthetopsoftheoldelms，greatlyexcited，andresolvedonhavingtheircountry-
dancetoo；andthegreatflagflappedlazilyinthegentlewesternbreeze。Altogetheritwasasightwhichwouldhavemadegladtheheartofourbraveoldfounder，LawrenceSheriff，ifhewerehalfasgoodafellowasItakehimtohavebeen。Itwasacheerfulsighttosee。ButwhatmadeitsovaluableinthesightofthecaptainoftheSchoolelevenwasthathetheresawhisyounghandsshakingofftheirshynessandaweoftheLord’smen，astheycrossedhandsandcaperedaboutonthegrasstogether；forthestrangersenteredintoitall，andthrewawaytheircigars，anddancedandshoutedlikeboys；whileoldMr。
Aislabiestoodbylookingoninhiswhitehat，leaningonabat，inbenevolentenjoyment。“Thishopwillbeworththirtyrunstousto-morrow，andwillbethemakingofRagglesandJohnson，“
thinkstheyoungleader，asherevolvesmanythingsinhismind，standingbythesideofMr。Aislabie，whomhewillnotleaveforaminute，forhefeelsthatthecharacteroftheSchoolforcourtesyisrestingonhisshoulders。