s, with all
possible qualifications; whereas Eustace never accomplished more than
catching up some sonorous period; but as his manners were at their best
when he was overawed, and nine months in England had so far improved
his taste that he did not once refer to his presentation at Government
House, he made such an excellent impression that Lord Erymanth
announced that he was going to give a ball to introduce his niece, Miss
Tracy, on her seventeenth birthday, in January, and invited us all
thereto.

Eustace's ecstacy was unbounded. He tried to wake Harold to share it,
but only produced some murmurs about half-inch bullets: only when the
"Good-night" came did Harold rouse up, and then, of course, he was wide
awake; and while Eustace was escorting the distinguished guest to his
apartment, we stood over the hall fire, enjoying his delight, and the
prospect of his being righted with the county.

"And you will have your friends again, Lucy," added Harold.

"Yes, I don't suppose Lady Diana will hold out against him. He will
prepare the way."

"And," said Eustace, coming downstairs, "it is absolutely necessary
that you go and be measured for a dress suit, Harry."

"I will certainly never get into this again," he said, with a thwarted
sigh; "it's all I can do to help splitting it down the back. You must
get it off as you got it on."

"Not here!" entreated Eustace, alarmed at his gesture. "Remember the
servant. Oh Harold, if you could but be more the gentleman! Why
cannot you take example by me, instead of overthrowing all the
advantageous impressions that such--such a service has created? I
really think there's nothing he would not do for me. Don't you think
so, Lucy?"

"Could he do anything for Prometesky?" asked Harold.

"He could, more than anyone," I said; "but I don't know if he would."

"I'll see about that."

"Now, Harold," cried Eustace in dismay, "don't spoil everything by
offending him. Just suppose he should not send us the invitation!"

"No great harm done."

Eustace was incoherent in his wrath and horror, and Harold, too much
used to his childish selfishness to feel the annoyance, answered, "I
am not you."

"But if you offend him?"

"Never fear, Eu, I'll take care you don't fare the worse."

And as he lighted his candle he added to poor Eustace's discomfiture by
the shocking utterance under his beard:

"You are welcome to him for me, if you can stand such an old bore."

CHAPTE