cal
to the uninitiated. In short, the man really had the language of the very
elect of polite society. If you are not versed in this alphabet of mute
intelligence, you are in the ranks with waiters and linen-drapers, and
are, as far as ladies are concerned, tail-coated to no purpose.

Mr. Pole's fresh allusion to his cook: "I hope you don't think I keep a
man! No; no; not in the country. Wouldn't do. Plays the deuce, you know.
My opinion is, Mrs. Mallow's as clever as any man-cook going. I'd back
her:" and Mr. Barrett's speech: "She is an excellent person!" delivered
briefly, with no obtrusion of weariness, confirmed the triumph of the
latter; a triumph all the greater, that he seemed unconscious of it. They
leaped at one bound to the conclusion that there was a romance attached
to him. Do not be startled. An attested tail-coat, clearly out of its
element, must contain a story: that story must be interesting; until its
secret is divulged, the subtle essence of it spreads an aureole around
the tail. The ladies declared, in their subsequent midnight conference,
that Mr. Barrett was fit for any society. They had visions of a great
family reduced; of a proud son choosing to earn his bread honourably and
humbly, by turning an exquisite taste to account. Many visions of him
they had, and were pleased.

Patronage of those beneath, much more than the courting of those above
them, delighted the ladies of Brookfield. They allowed Emilia to give Mr.
Barrett invitations, and he became a frequent visitor; always neat,
pathetically well-brushed, and a pleasanter pet than Emilia, because he
never shocked their niceties. He was an excellent talker, and was very
soon engaged in regular contests with the argumentative Cornelia. Their
political views were not always the same, as Cornelia sometimes had read
the paper before he arrived. Happily, on questions of religion, they
coincided. Theories of education occupied them mainly. In these contests
Mr. Barrett did not fail to acknowledge his errors, when convicted, and
his acknowledgment was hearty and ample. She had many clear triumphs.
Still, he could be positive; a very great charm in him. Women cannot
repose on a man who is not positive; nor have they much gratification in
confounding him. Wouldst thou, man, amorously inclining! attract to thee
superior women, be positive. Be stupidly positive, rather than dubious at
all. Face fearful questions with a vizor of brass. Array thyself in
do