but a fish-father could have stood against it.

Well, for this my reward is--and I should have stepped from a cathedral
spire just the same, if I had been mounted on it--that I, I,--and the
woman knows all my secret--I have to submit to the foul tirade of a
vixen.

She drew language, I protest, from the slums. And I entreat you, Mr.
Temple, with your "margravine of wines"--which was very neatly said, to
be sure--note you this curious point for the confusion of Radicals in
your after life; her Highness's pleasure was to lend her tongue to the
language--or something like it--of a besotted fish-wife; so! very well,
and just as it is the case with that particular old Hock you youngsters
would disapprove of, and we cunning oldsters know to contain more virtues
in maturity than a nunnery of May-blooming virgins, just so the very
faults of a royal lady-royal by birth and in temper a termagant--impart a
perfume! a flavour! You must age; you must live in Courts, you must sound
the human bosom, rightly to appreciate it. She is a woman of the most
malicious fine wit imaginable.

She is a generous woman, a magnanimous woman; wear her chains and she
will not brain you with her club. She is the light, the centre of every
society where she appears, like what shall I say? like the moon in a bowl
of old Rhenish. And you will drain that bowl to the bottom to seize her,
as it were--catch a correct idea of her; ay, and your brains are drowned
in the attempt. Yes, Richie; I was aware of your residence at Riversley.
Were you reminded of your wandering dada on Valentine's day? Come, my
boy, we have each of us a thousand things to relate. I may be dull--I do
not understand what started you on your journey in search of me. An
impulse? An accident? Say, a directing angel! We rest our legs here till
evening, and then we sup. You will be astonished to hear that you have
dined. 'Tis the fashion with the Germans. I promise you good wine shall
make it up to you for the return to school-habits. We sup, and we pack
our scanty baggage, and we start tonight. Brook no insult at Courts if
you are of material value: if not, it is unreservedly a question whether
you like kickings.'

My father paused, yawned and stretched, to be rid of the remainder of his
aches and stiffness. Out of a great yawn he said:

'Dear lads, I have fallen into the custom of the country; I crave your
permission that I may smoke. Wander, if you choose, within hail of me, or
sit b