r the chief object in the room, when Henry Pelham and his guardian
angel, termed by his enemies, his self-esteem, once enter it.

"Charming collection you have here, dear Lady Roseville," said I,
looking round the room; "quite a museum! But who is that very polite,
gentlemanlike young man, who has so kindly relinquished his seat to
me,--though it quite grieves me to take it from him?" added I: at the
same time leaning back, with a comfortable projection of the feet, and
establishing myself more securely in my usurped chair. "Pour l'amour de
Dieu, tell me the on dits of the day. Good Heavens! what an unbecoming
glass that is! placed just opposite to me, too! Could it not be removed
while I stay here? Oh! by the by, Lady Roseville, do you patronize the
Bohemian glasses? For my part, I have one which I only look at when I am
out of humour; it throws such a lovely flush upon the complexion, that
it revives my spirits for the rest of the day. Alas! Lady Roseville, I
am looking much paler than when I saw you at Garrett Park; but you--you
are like one of those beautiful flowers which bloom the brightest in the
winter."

"Thank Heaven, Mr. Pelham," said Lady Roseville, laughing, "that you
allow me at last to say one word. You have learned, at least, the art of
making the frais of the conversation since your visit to Paris."

"I understand you," answered I; "you mean that I talk too much; it is
true--I own the offence--nothing is so unpopular! Even I, the civilest,
best natured, most unaffected person in all Europe, am almost disliked,
positively disliked, for that sole and simple crime. Ah! the
most beloved man in society is that deaf and dumb person, comment
s'appelle-t-il?"

"Yes," said Lady Roseville, "Popularity is a goddess best worshipped
by negatives; and the fewer claims one has to be admired, the more
pretensions one has to be beloved."

"Perfectly true, in general," said I--"for instance, I make the rule,
and you the exception. I, a perfect paragon, am hated because I am one;
you, a perfect paragon, are idolized in spite of it. But tell me what
literary news is there. I am tired of the trouble of idleness, and
in order to enjoy a little dignified leisure, intend to set up as a
savant."

"Oh, Lady C--B--is going to write a Commentary on Ude; and Madame
de Genlis a Proof of the Apocrypha. The Duke of N--e is publishing a
Treatise on 'Toleration;'and Lord L--y an Essay on 'Self-knowledge.'As
for news more remote,