dge of diplomacy. I say this for
the reason that her diction could be construed to mean anything but
what she intended; albeit there was such an openness about it
generally that any clever gentleman might walk in at the back door. I
thought it highly creditable in Betty to attempt a thing so mighty as
the conquest of Bolt's heart--indeed there was an admirable heroism
about it; but it caused a great flutter in the kitchen, where the
sensitive Thomas brought forward a motion for her extradition. Thomas
would not for the world have the character of gentlemen up stairs
sullied by vulgar hands.

"'Bolt had scarcely reached the full blaze of his glory when a series
of material obligations truly alarming commenced; and as I then
regretted the manner in which he discharged them, so am I now less
ashamed to relate them than sorry for their existence on the page of
the past. As nearly all Bolt's acquaintances had carriages, it seemed
imperative on him to follow their example, which he was not long in
doing. And this item of expense necessarily entailed that of two very
worthy gentlemen--viz.: Mr. Fripp the coachman, and Mr. Still the
footman--without whom no turn-out can be considered complete. Well,
these worthy personages were put in possession of the carriage, but
scarcely a week had passed before a great deficiency was discovered.
Messrs. Fripp and Still had acted in similar capacities to my Lady
Brackenbridge, and now declared it beneath their dignity to remain in
a service not honored with livery. They laid their grievance before
Bolt, who, appreciating the deficiency, forthwith ordered the
requisite plush and cockades, to the no small joy of those worthies.
If you ask me the cost of these adjuncts so necessary to a very fine
gentleman, my answer is that I cannot enlighten you; and this for the
very reason, that the cost of an article depends very much on the
manner in which you pay for it.'

"As my great-uncle said this he would grasp tighter his crutch and
look wrathfully about the room for a seat. 'Bolt!' he would continue,
having adjusted his shabby drab hat, 'soon learned that in Europe
tradesmen are exceedingly impressible, and notwithstanding they are
held in utter contempt by the fine gentlemen of the diplomatic world,
will be their humble servant to any amount, asking no other security
than the, to them, immaculate character of the mission. I do not mean
to say that Bolt made such facilities a study; nor would I