d that makes them gentlemen. So,
on the other hand, the man of vulgar tastes and coarse propensities may
simulate, if he be able, the outward habitudes of society, speaking with
practised intonation and bowing with well-studied grace; yet is he no
more a gentleman in his thought or feeling than is the tinselled actor,
who struts the board, the monarch his costume would bespeak him. This
being the 'gentleman when he likes' is but the mere performance of the
character. It has all the smell of the orange-peel and the footlights
about it, and never can be mistaken by any one who knows the world.

But to come back to Mr. Burke. Having eyed me for a second or two, with
a look of mingled distrust and impertinence, he unfolded my note, which
he held beneath his fingers, and said--

'I received this from you last night, Mr. ------'

'Hinton,' said I, assisting him.

'Mr. Hinton,' repeated he slowly.

'Won't you be seated?' said I, pointing to a chair, and taking one
myself.

He nodded familiarly, and placing himself on the window-sill, with one
foot upon a chair, resumed--

'It's about O'Gradys business I suppose you've come down here. The
Captain has treated me very ill.'

'You are quite right,' said I coolly, 'in guessing the object of my
visit; but I must also let you know, that in any observations you make
concerning Captain O'Grady, they are made to a friend, who will no more
permit his name to be slightingly treated than his own.'

'Of course,' pronounced with a smile of the most insulting coolness,
was the only reply. 'That, however, is not the matter in hand: _your
friend_, the Captain, never condescended to answer my letter.'

'He only received it a few days ago.'

'Why isn't he here himself? Is a gentleman-rider to be treated like a
common jockey that's paid for his race?'

I confess the distinction was too subtle for me, but I said nothing in
reply.

'I don't even know where the horse is, nor if he is here at all. Will
you call that handsome treatment Mr. Hinton?'

'One thing I am quite sure of, Mr. Burke--Captain O'Grady is incapable
of anything unworthy or unbecoming a gentleman; the haste of his
departure for foreign service may have prevented him observing certain
matters of etiquette towards you, but he has commissioned me to accept
your terms. The horse is here, or will be here to-night; and I trust
nothing will interrupt the good understanding that has hitherto
subsisted between you.'

'And