ble to get away from this place to-morrow or
next day," said Lord Lackington, sighing drearily.

"Yes, of course; very slow for your Lordship--no society--nothing to
do."

"And the weather beginning to break?" said Lord Lackington, peevishly.

"Just so, as your Lordship most justly observes,--the weather beginning
to break."

"Look at that troop of horses," said the Viscount, as the postilions
passed beneath the window in a long file with the cattle just released
from the travelling-carriages. "There goes ten--no, but twelve posters.
He travels right royally, doesn't he?"

"Very handsomely, indeed; quite a pleasure to see it," said Twining,
gleefully.

"These fellows have little tact, with all their worldly shrewdness, or
they 'd not make such ostentatious display of their wealth."

"Quite true, my Lord. It _is_ indiscreet of them."

"It is so like saying, 'This is _our_ day! '" said the Viscount.

"So it is, my Lord; and a very pleasant day they have of it, I must say;
clever men--shrewd men--know the world thoroughly."

"I 'm not so very sure of that, Twining," said his Lordship, smiling
half superciliously. "If they really had all the worldly knowledge you
attribute to them, they 'd scarcely venture to shock the feelings of
society by assumptions of this sort They would have more patience,
Twining,--more patience."

"So they would, my Lord. Capital thing,--excellent thing, patience;
always rewarded in the end; great fun." And he rubbed his hands and
laughed away pleasantly.

"And they'll defeat themselves, that's what will come of it, sir," said
Lord Lackington, not heeding the other's remark.

"I quite agree with your Lordship," chimed in Twining.

"And shall I tell you why they 'll defeat themselves, sir?"

"Like it of all things; take it as a great favor on your Lordship's
part."

"For this reason, Twining, that they have no 'prestige,'--no, Twining,
they have no prestige. Now, sir, wealth unassociated with prestige
is just like--what shall I say?--it is, as it were, a sort of local
rank,--a kind of thing like being brigadier in the Bombay Army, but only
a lieutenant when you 're at home; so long, therefore, as these fellows
are rich, they have their influence. Let them suffer a reverse of
fortune, however, and where will they be, sir?"

"Can't possibly say; but quite certain your Lordship knows,--perfectly
sure of it," rattled out Twining.

"I do, sir. It is a subject on which I have bestow