oly privilege of being the older man, do not think
I take an unwarrantable liberty in asking if you object to tell me your
name. I should like to introduce you to my daughter, who is very partial
to Jessie Wiles and to Will Somers. But I can't venture to inflame her
imagination by designating you as a prince in disguise."

"Mr. Travers, you express yourself with exquisite delicacy. But I
am just starting in life, and I shrink from mortifying my father by
associating my name with a signal failure. Suppose I were an anonymous
contributor, say, to 'The Londoner,' and I had just brought that
highly intellectual journal into discredit by a feeble attempt at
a good-natured criticism or a generous sentiment, would that be the
fitting occasion to throw off the mask, and parade myself to a mocking
world as the imbecile violator of an established system? Should I not,
in a moment so untoward, more than ever desire to merge my insignificant
unit in the mysterious importance which the smallest Singular obtains
when he makes himself a Plural, and speaks not as 'I,' but as 'We'?
_We_ are insensible to the charm of young ladies; _We_ are not bribed
by suppers; _We_, like the witches of 'Macbeth,' have no name on earth;
_We_ are the greatest wisdom of the greatest number; _We_ are so upon
system; _We_ salute you, Mr. Travers, and depart unassailable."

Here Kenelm rose, doffed and replaced his hat in majestic salutation,
turned towards the entrance of the fernery, and found himself suddenly
face to face with George Belvoir, behind whom followed, with a throng
of guests, the fair form of Cecilia. George Belvoir caught Kenelm by the
hand, and exclaimed, "Chillingly! I thought I could not be mistaken."

"Chillingly!" echoed Leopold Travers from behind. "Are you the son of my
old friend Sir Peter?"

Thus discovered and environed, Kenelm did not lose his wonted presence
of mind; he turned round to Leopold Travers, who was now close in his
rear, and whispered, "If my father was your friend, do not disgrace his
son. Do not say I am a failure. Deviate from your system, and let Will
Somers succeed Mrs. Bawtrey." Then reverting his face to Mr. Belvoir, he
said tranquilly, "Yes; we have met before."

"Cecilia," said Travers, now interposing, "I am happy to introduce to
you as Mr. Chillingly, not only the son of an old friend of mine,
not only the knight-errant of whose gallant conduct on behalf of your
protegee Jessie Wiles we have heard so m