exter as one the guests.
Madame Mirliflore is still in London. You would be sure to like her--she
is charming; she possesses your firmness, your extraordinary tenacity
of purpose. Yes, we will have Madame Mirliflore. Who else? Shall we say
Lady Clarinda? Another charming person, Mr. Benjamin! You would be sure
to admire her--she is so sympathetic, she resembles in so many respects
our fair friend here. Yes, Lady Clarinda shall be one of us; and you
shall sit next to her, Mr. Benjamin, as a proof of my sincere regard for
you. Shall we have my young prima donna to sing to us in the evening?
think so. She is pretty; she will assist in obscuring the deformity of
Dexter. Very well; there is our party complete! I will shut myself up
this evening and approach the question of dinner with my cook. Shall
we say this day week," asked the Major, taking out his pocketbook, "at
eight o'clock?"

I consented to the proposed compromise--but not very willingly. With
a letter of introduction, I might have seen Miserrimus Dexter that
afternoon. As it was, the "little dinner" compelled me to wait in
absolute inaction through a whole week. However, there was no help
for it but to submit. Major Fitz-David, in his polite way, could be
as obstinate as I was. He had evidently made up his mind; and further
opposition on my part would be of no service to me.

"Punctually at eight, Mr. Benjamin," reiterated the Major. "Put it down
in your book."

Benjamin obeyed--with a side look at me, which I was at no loss to
interpret. My good old friend did not relish meeting a man at dinner who
was described as "half tiger, half monkey;" and the privilege of sitting
next to Lady Clarinda rather daunted than delighted him. It was all my
doing, and he too had no choice but to submit. "Punctually at eight,
sir," said poor old Benjamin, obediently recording his formidable
engagement. "Please to take another glass of wine."

The Major looked at his watch, and rose--with fluent apologies for
abruptly leaving the table.

"It is later than I thought," he said. "I have an appointment with a
friend--a female friend; a most attractive person. You a little remind
me of her, my dear lady--you resemble her in complexion: the same
creamy paleness. I adore creamy paleness. As I was saying, I have an
appointment with my friend; she does me the honor to ask my opinion on
some very remarkable specimens of old lace. I have studied old lace. I
study everything that can make