ny Marchdale!" Mr. Marchdale, a man of
the world of some nineteen summers bent languidly and lisped:

"Kiss your hands, sir!"

"I present Lord Alvaston!" His lordship, making the utmost of his
slender legs aided by a pair of clocked silk stockings bowed
exuberantly.

"Very devoted humble, sir! As regards your poacher, sir, ma humble
'pinion's precisely your 'pinion sir--poacher's a dam rogue but rogue's
a man 'n' rabbit's only rabbit--if 'sequently if dam rogue kills rabbit
an' rabbit's your rabbit----"

"Stint your plaguy rabbits a while, Bob. Nunky, Captain West."

"Yours to command, sir!" said the Captain, a trifle mature, a trifle
grim, but shooting his ruffles with a youthful ease.

"The Marquis of Alton!"

"I agree with Ben, sir, 'tis a real joy, strike me dumb if 'tisn't!"

"Sir Jasper Denholm!"

Sir Jasper, chiefly remarkable for an interesting pallor, and handsome
eyes which had earned for themselves the epithet of "soulful," bowed in
turn:

"Sir," he sighed, "your dutiful humble! If you be one of this sighful,
amorous fellowship that worships peerless Betty from afar, 'tis an
added bond, sir, a----" Speech was extinguished by a gusty sigh.

"Od so!" exclaimed Sir Benjamin, hilariously, "do we then greet another
rival for the smiles of our Admirable Lady Betty--begad!"

The Major started slightly then smiled and shook his head in denial.

"Nay sir, such presumption is not in me----"

"But, indeed, sir," sighed Sir Jasper, "you must have marked how Cupid
lieth basking in the dimple of her able chin, lieth ambushed in her
night-soft hair, playeth (naughty young wanton) in her snowy bosom,
lurketh (rosy elf) 'neath----"

"Sir!" said the Major, rather hastily, "I have eyes!"

"Enough, sir--whoso hath eyes must worship! So do we salute you as a
fellow-sufferer deep-smit of Eros his blissful, barbed dart."

"Od rabbit me, 'tis so!" cried Sir Benjamin. "Here's wine, come, a
toast, let us fill to Love's latest bleeding victim--let us
solemnly----"

The door opened, a rehabilitated footman announced: 'Lady Belinda
Damain, Lady Elizabeth Carlyon,' and in the ladies swept, whereupon the
Major instinctively felt to see if his peruke were straight.

"O dear heart!" exclaimed the Lady Belinda, halting with slim foot
daintily poised. "So many gentlemen--I vow 'tis pure! And discussing
a toast, too! O Gemini! Dear sirs, what is't--relate!"

"I' faith, madam," cried Sir Benjamin, "we greet a