nformation whom one occasionally meets in society, who pretend to know
everybody, but in reality know nobody. At Malderton's, where any stories
about great people were received with a greedy ear, he was an especial
favourite; and, knowing the kind of people he had to deal with, he
carried his passion of claiming acquaintance with everybody, to the most
immoderate length. He had rather a singular way of telling his greatest
lies in a parenthesis, and with an air of self-denial, as if he feared
being thought egotistical.

'Why, no, I don't know him by that name,' returned Flamwell, in a low
tone, and with an air of immense importance. 'I have no doubt I know
him, though. Is he tall?'

'Middle-sized,' said Miss Teresa.

'With black hair?' inquired Flamwell, hazarding a bold guess.

'Yes,' returned Miss Teresa, eagerly.

'Rather a snub nose?'

'No,' said the disappointed Teresa, 'he has a Roman nose.'

'I said a Roman nose, didn't I?' inquired Flamwell. 'He's an elegant
young man?'

'Oh, certainly.'

'With remarkably prepossessing manners?'

'Oh, yes!' said all the family together. 'You must know him.'

'Yes, I thought you knew him, if he was anybody,' triumphantly exclaimed
Mr. Malderton. 'Who d'ye think he is?'

'Why, from your description,' said Flamwell, ruminating, and sinking his
voice, almost to a whisper, 'he bears a strong resemblance to the
Honourable Augustus Fitz-Edward Fitz-John Fitz-Osborne. He's a very
talented young man, and rather eccentric. It's extremely probable he may
have changed his name for some temporary purpose.'

Teresa's heart beat high. Could he be the Honourable Augustus
Fitz-Edward Fitz-John Fitz-Osborne! What a name to be elegantly engraved
upon two glazed cards, tied together with a piece of white satin ribbon!
'The Honourable Mrs. Augustus Fitz-Edward Fitz-John Fitz-Osborne!' The
thought was transport.

'It's five minutes to five,' said Mr. Malderton, looking at his watch: 'I
hope he's not going to disappoint us.'

'There he is!' exclaimed Miss Teresa, as a loud double-knock was heard at
the door. Everybody endeavoured to look--as people when they
particularly expect a visitor always do--as if they were perfectly
unsuspicious of the approach of anybody.

The room-door opened--'Mr. Barton!' said the servant.

'Confound the man!' murmured Malderton. 'Ah! my dear sir, how d'ye do!
Any news?'

'Why no,' returned the grocer, in his usual bluff manner. 'No, n