urdity of the scene would permit him, to condole with the
angry sufferer. It was not, however, without the greatest difficulty
that Curtis could be prevailed upon to enter the house. The very idea of
being a laughing-stock was madness to him; and it was only on the strict
assurance that no allusion to the event would be tolerated by my father
that he at last gave in and accompanied him.

Insignificant as was this incident in itself, it was the origin of very
grave consequences. Curtis was one of those men who are unforgiving to
anything like ridicule; and the sense of injury, added to the poignant
suffering of a ruined estate and a fallen condition, by no means
improved a temper irascible beyond everything. He entered the house
swearing every species of vengeance on the innocent cause of his
misadventure.

"Time was, sir, when a lord-lieutenant drove to a gentleman's door in
a style becoming his dignity, and not heralded by half-a-dozen rascals,
whip-cracking and caracolling like the clowns in a circus!"

Such was his angry commentary as he pushed past my father and hastened
to his room. Long after, he sat brooding and mourning over his calamity.
It was forgotten in the drawing-room, where Polly had now arrived,
dividing attention and interest with the Viceroy himself. Indeed, while
his Grace was surrounded with courtly and grave figures, discussing the
news of the day and the passing topics, Polly was the centre of a
far more animated group, whose laughter and raillery rung through the
apartment.

My mother was charmed with her, not only because she possessed
considerable personal charms, but, being of her own age, and speaking
French with ease and fluency, it was a great happiness to her to unbend
once again in all the freedom of her own delightful language. It was
to no purpose that my father whispered to her the names and titles of
various guests to whom peculiar honor was due; it was in vain that
he led her to the seat beside some tiresome old lady, all dulness and
diamonds; by some magical attraction she would find herself leaning over
Polly's chair, and listening to her, as she talked, in admiring ecstasy.
It was unquestionably true that although most of the company were
selected less for personal qualities than their political influence,
there were many most agreeable persons in the number. My mother,
however, was already fascinated, and she required more self-restraint
than she usually imposed upon herself