The Venus of the Riding! They
absolutely attempt to flirt. Let us give them a gallop!'

He was advancing to salute this provincial couple; but his more mature
companion repressed him.

'Ah! I forgot,' said the young Duke. 'I am Yorkshire. If I were a
western, like yourself, I might compromise my character. Your Grace
monopolises the fun.'

'I think you may safely attack them,' said Miss Dacre. 'I do not think
you will be recognised. People entertain in this barbarous country, such
vulgar, old-fashioned notions of a Duke of St. James, that I have not
the least doubt your Grace might have a good deal of fun without being
found out.'

'There is no necessity,' said the Duke, 'to fly from Miss Dacre for
amusement. By-the-bye, you make a good repartee. You must permit me to
introduce you to my friend, Lord Squib. I am sure you would agree so.'

'I have been introduced to Lord Squib.'

'And you found him most amusing? Did he say anything which vindicates my
appointment of him as my court jester?'

'I found him modest. He endeavoured to excuse his errors by being your
companion; and to prove his virtues by being mine.'

'Treacherous Squib! I positively must call him out. Duke, bear him a
cartel.'

'The quarrel is ours, and must be decided here,' said Mrs. Dallington
Vere. 'I second Miss Dacre.'

'We are in the way of some good people here, I think,' said the Duke of
Burlington, who, though the most dignified, was the most considerate of
men; 'at least, here are a stray couple or two staring as if they wished
us to understand we prevented a set.'

'Let them stare,' said the Duke of St. James; 'we were made to be looked
at. 'Tis our vocation, Hal, and they are gifted with vision purposely to
behold us.'

'Your Grace,' said Miss Dacre, 'reminds me of my old friend, Prince
Rubarini, who told me one day that when he got up late he always gave
orders to have the sun put back a couple of hours.'

'And you, Miss Dacre, remind me of my old friend, the Duchess of Nevers,
who told me one day that in the course of her experience she had only
met one man who was her rival in repartee.'

'And that man,' asked Mrs. Vere.

'Was your slave, Mrs. Dallington,' said the young Duke, bowing
profoundly, with his hand on his heart.

'I remember she said the same thing to me,' said the Duke of Burlington,
'about ten years before.'

'That was her grandmother, Burley,' said the Duke of St. James.

'Her grandmother!' said Mrs. Dall