like clouds and vapours, had remained fixed and
stationary as a star. "Solid St. George," was his appellative by his
friends, and his enemies did not grudge him the title. The third was the
minister for ----; and the fourth was Clarence's friend, Lord Aspeden.
Now this nobleman, blessed with a benevolent, smooth, calm countenance,
valued himself especially upon his diplomatic elegance in turning a
compliment.

Having a great taste for literature as well as diplomacy, this respected
and respectable peer also possessed a curious felicity for applying
quotation; and nothing rejoiced him so much as when, in the same phrase,
he was enabled to set the two jewels of his courtliness of flattery
and his profundity of erudition. Unhappily enough, his compliments
were seldom as well taken as they were meant; and, whether from the
ingratitude of the persons complimented or the ill fortune of the noble
adulator, seemed sometimes to produce indignation in place of delight.
It has been said that his civilities had cost Lord Aspeden four duels
and one beating; but these reports were probably the malicious invention
of those who had never tasted the delicacies of his flattery.

Now these four persons being all members of the Privy Council, and being
thus engaged in close and earnest conference were, you will suppose,
employed in discussing their gravities and secrets of state: no such
thing; that whisper from Lord Quintown, the handsome nobleman, to Mr.
St. George, is no hoarded and valuable information which would rejoice
the heart of the editor of an Opposition paper, no direful murmur,
"perplexing monarchs with the dread of change;" it is only a recent
piece of scandal, touching the virtue of a lady of the court, which
(albeit the sage listener seems to pay so devout an attention to the
news) is far more interesting to the gallant and handsome informant than
to his brother statesman; and that emphatic and vehement tone with which
Lord Aspeden is assuring the minister for ---- of some fact, is merely
an angry denunciation of the chicanery practised at the last Newmarket.

"By the by, Aspeden," said Lord Quintown, "who is that good-looking
fellow always flirting with Lady Flora Ardenne,--an attache of yours, is
he not?"

"Oh! Linden, I suppose you mean. A very sensible, clever young fellow,
who has a great genius for business and plays the flute admirably. I
must have him for my secretary, my dear lord, mind that."

"With such a r