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ts _au fond_; he makes no extra charge for toast at breakfast, and you only pay half-a-crown for a pot of George the Third Marmalade, to lubricate it withal. Five-o'clock tea comes up at six, just as at home. He makes much of Actors, Peers, and Clergymen. Sunday is a great day for "Mr." He directs everyone to the English Church in "The Grounds"--(fifteen benches and one tree, with a fountain between them); and then goes off to play cards, but always in his frock-coat. The "Chaplain" gets his breakfast-egg gratis; and a stray Bishop writes, "Nothing can exceed the comfort of this Hotel," in that Doomsday Book of Visitors. When you depart--and, abroad, this is generally about daybreak--"Mr." is always on the spot, haughty, as becomes a man about to be paid, but considerate; there is a bouquet in petticoats for the Entresol--even, for me, a condescending word. "_When you see_ Mr. SHONES _in London, you tell him next year I make se Gulf-Links._" I don't know who the dickens JONES may be, but I snigger. It all springs from that miserable fiction of being an _Habitue_. "_Sans adieux!_" ejaculates "Mr.," who is great at languages; so am I, but, somehow, find myself saying "Good-bye" quite naturally. _A propos_ of languages, "Mr." is very patient with the Ladies who _will_ speak to him in so-called French or German, when they say, "_Ou est le Portier?_" or "_Es ist sehr schoen heute_," he replies, in the genuine tongue. I once overheard a lady discussing the chances of rest and quiet in the "Grand Hotel." "_Oui c'est une grande reste_." said she. It only puzzled "Mr." for a moment. "_Parfaitement, Madame; c'est ravissant, n'est-ce pas?_" and then "Mr." sold her the little Hand-book, composed by the Clergyman, on which he receives a commission. * * * * * NEED I SAY MORE? I loved--and need I say she was a woman? And need I say I thought her just divine? Her beauty (like this rhyme) was quite uncommon. Alas, she said she never could be mine! My Uncle was a Baronet, and wealthy, But old, ill-tempered, deaf, and plagued with gout; I was his heir, a pauper young and healthy; My Uncle--need I say?--had cut me out. I swore--and need I say the words I muttered? Sir HECTOR married KATE, and changed his will. Dry bread for me! For her the tea-cake buttered. I starved--and, need I say, I'm starving still! * * * * * "A CARP
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