g a duty to your country no man
who understands the country can doubt. But it must be the
case that the country at large should interest itself in
your festivities, and should demand to have accounts of
the gala doings of your ducal palace. Your Grace will
probably agree with me that these records could be better
given by one empowered by yourself to give them, by one
who had been present, and who would write in your Grace's
interest, than by some interloper who would receive his
tale only at second hand.

It is my purport now to inform your Grace that should
I be honoured by an invitation to your Grace's party at
Gatherum, I should obey such a call with the greatest
alacrity, and would devote my pen and the public organ
which is at my disposal to your Grace's service with the
readiest good-will.

I have the honour to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
And very humble servant,

QUINTUS SLIDE.

The old Duke, when he had read the letter, laughed heartily. "Isn't
that a terribly bad sign of the times?" said the younger.

"Well;--hardly that, I think. The man is both a fool and a
blackguard; but I don't think we are therefore to suppose that there
are many fools and blackguards like him. I wonder what he really has
wanted."

"He has wanted me to ask him to Gatherum."

"He can hardly have expected that. I don't think he can have been
such a fool. He may have thought that there was a possible off
chance, and that he would not lose even that for want of asking. Of
course you won't notice it."

"I have asked Warburton to write to him, saying that he cannot be
received at my house. I have all letters answered unless they seem to
have come from insane persons. Would it not shock you if your private
arrangements were invaded in that way?"

"He can't invade you."

"Yes he can. He does. That is an invasion. And whether he is there
or not, he can and will write about my house. And though no one
else will make himself such a fool as he has done by his letter,
nevertheless even that is a sign of what others are doing.
You yourself were saying just now that we were going to do
something,--something particular, you said."

"It was your word, and I echoed it. I suppose you are going to have a
great many people?"

"I am afraid Glencora has overdone it. I don't know why I should
trouble you by saying so, but it makes me uneasy."

"I can't see why.