out as much benefit to society as its owner does.'

'And do you think his existence, then, perfectly useless?' asked the
Duke.

'To be sure, I do. So the world will, some day or other. We are
opening our eyes fast. Men begin to ask themselves what the use of an
aristocracy is. That is the test, sir.'

'I think it not very difficult to demonstrate the use of an
aristocracy,' mildly observed the Duke.

'Pooh! nonsense, sir! I know what you are going to say; but we have
got beyond all that. Have you read this, sir? This article on the
aristocracy in "The Screw and Lever Review?"'

'I have not, sir.'

'Then I advise you to make yourself master of it, and you will talk no
more of the aristocracy. A few more articles like this, and a few more
noblemen like the man who has got this park, and people will open their
eyes at last.'

'I should think,' said his Grace, 'that the follies of the man who had
got this park have been productive of evil only to himself. In fact,
sir, according to your own system, a prodigal noble seems to be a very
desirable member of the commonwealth and a complete leveller.'

'We shall get rid of them all soon, sir,' said his companion, with a
malignant smile.

'I have heard that he is very young, sir,' remarked the widow.

'What is that to you or me?'

'Ah! youth is a trying time. Let us hope the best! He may turn out well
yet, poor soul!'

'I hope not. Don't talk to me of poor souls. There is a poor soul,' said
the utilitarian, pointing to an old man breaking stones on the highway.
'That is what I call a poor soul, not a young prodigal, whose life has
been one long career of infamous debauchery.'

'You appear to have heard much of this young nobleman,' said the Duke;
'but it does not follow, sir, that you have heard truth.'

'Very true, sir,' said the widow. 'The world is very foul-mouthed. Let
us hope he is not so very bad.'

'I tell you what, my friends; you know nothing about what you are
talking of. I don't speak without foundation. You have not the least
idea, sir, how this fellow has lived. Now, what I am going to tell you
is a fact: I know it to be a fact. A very intimate friend of mine, who
knows a person, who is a very intimate friend of an intimate friend of a
person, who knows the Duke of St. James, told me himself, that one night
they had for supper--what do you think ma'am?--Venison cutlets, each
served up in a hundred pound note!'

'Mercy!' exclaimed the widow.

'A