. We keep the vernacular only for post-paper, and
it always begins: 'My Lord,--Since by my despatch No. 7,028, in which I
reported to your Lordship the details of an interview accorded me by the
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of this Government;' and so on.
Now all this, to the polite intercourse of society, is pretty much what
singlestick is to the rapier. I wish you 'd do this for me, Marion.
After so many balks, one always ends by a tumble."

"I declare, I see no occasion for smartness or epigram. I 'd simply
say, 'I have only just heard that you are in our neighborhood, and I
beg to convey my father's hope and request that you will not leave it
without giving us the honor of your company here.' You can throw in
as many of your personal sentiments as may serve, like wool in a
packing-case, to keep the whole tight and compact; but I think something
like that would suffice."

"Perhaps so," said he, musingly, as he once more returned to his room.
When he reappeared, after some minutes, it was with the air and look of
a man who had just thrown off some weighty burden. "Thank Heaven, it's
done and despatched!" said he. "I have been looking over the F. O.
Guide, to see whether I addressed him aright. I fancied he was a Privy
Councillor, and I find he is not; he is a K.C.B., however, and a Guelph,
with leave to wear the star."

"Very gratifying to us,--I mean if he should come here," said she, with
a mocking smile.

"Don't pretend you do not value all these things fully as much as
myself, Marion. You know well what the world thinks of them. These
distinctions were no more made by us than the money of the realm; but we
use one of them like the other, well aware that it represents a certain
value, and is never disputed."

"How old is your friend?"

"Well, he is certainly not young. Here's what F. O. contributes to his
biography. 'Entered the army as cornet in the 2nd Life Guards,
1816.' A precious long time ago that. 'First groom of the
bedchamber--promoted--placed on half-pay--entered diplomatic service--in
--19; special mission to Hanover--made K.C.B.--contested Essex, and
returned on a petition--went back to diplomacy, and named special envoy
to Teheran.' Ah! now we are coming to his real career."

"Oh, dear! I 'd rather hear about him somewhat earlier," said she,
taking the book out of his hand, and throwing it on the table. "It is a
great penalty to pay for greatness to be gibbeted in this fashion. Don't