h his family
. . .'

'On all those points,' interposed Dr. Shrapnel, after dashing a hand to
straighten his forelock; but Cecil vehemently entreated him to control
his temper.

'I say you embroil him with his family, you cause him to be in
everlasting altercation with his uncle Mr. Romfrey, materially to his
personal detriment; and the question of his family is one that every man
of sense would apprehend on the spot; for we, you should know, have, sir,
an opinion of Captain Beauchamp's talents and abilities forbidding us to
think he could possibly be the total simpleton you make him appear,
unless to the seductions of your political instructions, other seductions
were added . . . . You apprehend me, I am sure.'

'I don't,' cried the doctor, descending from his height and swinging
about forlornly.

'Oh! yes, you do; you do indeed, you cannot avoid it; you quite apprehend
me; it is admitted that you take my meaning: I insist on that. I have
nothing to say but what is complimentary of the young lady, whoever she
may turn out to be; bewitching, no doubt; and to speak frankly, Dr.
Shrapnel, I, and I am pretty certain every honest man would think with
me, I take it to be ten times more creditable to my cousin Captain
Beauchamp that he should be under a lady's influence than under yours.
Come, sir! I ask you. You must confess that a gallant officer and great
admirer of the sex does not look such a donkey if he is led in silken
strings by a beautiful creature. And mark--stop! mark this, Dr. Shrapnel:
I say, to the lady we can all excuse a good deal, and at the same time
you are to be congratulated on first-rate diplomacy in employing so
charming an agent. I wish, I really wish you did it generally, I assure
you: only, mark this--I do beg you to contain yourself for a minute, if
possible--I say, my cousin Captain Beauchamp is fair game to hunt, and
there is no law to prevent the chase, only you must not expect us to be
quiet spectators of your sport; and we have, I say, undoubtedly a right
to lay the case before the lady, and induce her to be a peace-agent in
the family if we can. Very well.'

'This garden is redolent of a lady's hand,' sighed Palmet, poetical in
his dejection.

'Have you taken too much wine, gentlemen?' said Dr. Shrapnel.

Cecil put this impertinence aside with a graceful sweep of his fingers.
'You attempt to elude me, sir.'

'Not I! You mention some lady.'

'Exactly. A young lady.'

'What is the