wo young ladies began screaming
with laughter, and I saw the two great-whiskered footmen grinning over
the back of the carriage.

"Upon my word, you're mighty candid, Mr. What's-your-name--mighty candid
indeed; but I like candour in young people. But a beauty I was. Just
ask your friend's uncle the General. He's one of the Lincolnshire
Hoskinses--I knew he was by the strong family likeness. Is he the eldest
son? It's a pretty property, though sadly encumbered; for old Sir George
was the divvle of a man--a friend of Hanbury Williams, and Lyttleton, and
those horrid, monstrous, ojous people! How much will he have now,
mister, when the Admiral dies?"

"Why, ma'am, I can't say; but the Admiral is not my friend's father."

"Not his father?--but he _is_, I tell you, and I'm never wrong. Who is
his father, then?"

"Ma'am, Gus's father's a leatherseller in Skinner Street, Snow Hill,--a
very respectable house, ma'am. But Gus is only third son, and so can't
expect a great share in the property."

The two young ladies smiled at this--the old lady said, "Hwat?"

"I like you, sir," Lady Jane said, "for not being ashamed of your
friends, whatever their rank of life may be. Shall we have the pleasure
of setting you down anywhere, Mr. Titmarsh?"

"Noways particular, my Lady," says I. "We have a holiday at our office
to-day--at least Roundhand gave me and Gus leave; and I shall be very
happy, indeed, to take a drive in the Park, if it's no offence."

"I'm sure it will give us--infinite pleasure," said Lady Jane; though
rather in a grave way.

"Oh, that it will!" says Lady Fanny, clapping her hands: "won't it,
Grandmamma? And after we have been in the Park, we can walk in
Kensington Gardens, if Mr. Titmarsh will be good enough to accompany us."

"Indeed, Fanny, we will do no such thing," says Lady Jane.

"Indeed, but we will though!" shrieked out Lady Drum. "Ain't I dying to
know everything about his uncle and thirteen aunts? and you're all
chattering so, you young women, that not a blessed syllable will you
allow me or my young friend here to speak."

Lady Jane gave a shrug with her shoulders, and did not say a single word
more. Lady Fanny, who was as gay as a young kitten (if I may be allowed
so to speak of the aristocracy), laughed, and blushed, and giggled, and
seemed quite to enjoy her sister's ill-humour. And the Countess began at
once, and entered into the history of the thirteen Misses Hoggarty, which