a
good economist. I do not know how it is, though I see these things
perpetually happen; but why men, and men of small fortunes, should
commit such follies, really exceeds my comprehension. Ten thousand
pounds for trinkets, and nearly as much for old furniture!'

'Chetwynd kept it up a good many years, though, I think,' said Lord
Darrell. 'I remember going to see his rooms when I first came over. You
recollect his pearl fountain of Cologne water?'

'Millecolonnes fitted up his place, I think?' asked the young Duke; 'but
it was before my time.'

'Oh! yes; little Bijou,' said Annesley. 'He has done you justice, Duke.
I think the Alhambra much the prettiest thing in town.'

'I was attacked the other day most vigorously by Mrs. Dallington to
obtain a sight,' said Lord Squib. 'I referred her to Lucy Grafton. Do
you know, St. James, I have half a strange idea that there is a renewal
in that quarter?'

'So they say,' said the Duke; 'if so, I confess I am surprised.' But
they remembered Lord Darrell, and the conversation turned.

'Those are clever horses of Lincoln Graves,' said Mr. Annesley.

'Neat cattle, as Bagshot says,' observed Lord Squib.

'Is it true that Bag is going to marry one of the Wrekins?' asked the
Duke.

'Which?' asked Lord Squib; 'not Sophy, surely I thought she was to be
your cousin. I dare say,' he added, 'a false report. I suppose, to use
a Bagshotism, his governor wants it; but I should think Lord Cub would
not yet be taken in. By-the-bye, he says you have promised to propose
him at White's, St. James.'

'Oppose him, I said,' rejoined the Duke. 'Bag really never understands
English. However, I think it as probable that he will lounge there as on
the Treasury bench. That was his "governor's" last shrewd plan.'

'Darrell,' said Lord Squib, 'is there any chance of my being a
commissioner for anything? It struck me last night that I had never been
in office.'

'I do not think, Squib, that you ever will be in office, if even you be
appointed.'

'On the contrary, my good fellow, my punctuality should surprise you. I
should like very much to be a lay lord, because I cannot afford to
keep a yacht, and theirs, they say, are not sufficiently used, for the
Admirals think it spooney, and the landlubbers are always sick.'

'I think myself of having a yacht this summer,' said the Duke of St.
James. 'Be my captain, Squib.'

'If you be serious I will commence my duties tomorrow.'

'I am serious. I th