cessory must be secondary to the principal--that
the lesser must merge, not in your sense, but in my sense, in the
greater--and, by consequence, that--"

"You will accord me your pardon, my dear lord, but I hold--"

"Nay, my good Sir John, I trust to your intelligence to be excused if I
say--"

"One word, my Lord Chatterino, I pray you, in order that--"

"A thousand, very cheerfully, Sir John, but--"

"My Lord Chatterino!"

"Sir John Goldencalf!"

Hereupon we both began talking at the same time, the noble young monikin
gradually narrowing down the direction of his observations to the single
person of Mrs. Vigilance Lynx, who, I afterwards had occasion to know,
was an excellent listener; and I, in my turn, after wandering from
eye to eye, settled down into a sort of oration that was especially
addressed to the understanding of Captain Noah Poke. My auditor
contrived to get one ear entirely clear of the bison's skin, and nodded
approbation of what fell from me, with a proper degree of human and
clannish spirit. We might possibly have harangued in this desultory
manner, to the present time, had not the amiable Chatterissa advanced,
and, with the tact and delicacy which distinguish her sex, by placing
her pretty patte on the mouth of the young nobleman, effectually checked
his volubility. When a horse is running away, he usually comes to a dead
stop, after driving through lanes, and gates, and turnpikes, the moment
he finds himself master of his own movements, in an open field. Thus,
in my own case, no sooner did I find myself in sole possession of the
argument, than I brought it to a close. Dr. Reasono improved the pause,
to introduce a proposition that, the experiment already made by myself
and Lord Chatterino being evidently a failure, he and Mr. Poke should
retire and make an effort to agree upon an entirely new programme of the
proceedings. This happy thought suddenly restored peace; and, while the
two negotiators were absent, I improved the opportunity to become better
acquainted with the lovely Chatterissa and her female Mentor. Lord
Chatterino, who possessed all the graces of diplomacy, who could turn
from a hot and angry discussion, on the instant, to the most bland and
winning courtesy, was foremost in promoting my wishes, inducing his
charming mistress to throw aside the reserve of a short acquaintance,
and to enter, at once, into a free and friendly discourse.

Some time elapsed before the plenipotentia