quander twelve
minutes, Mr. Linton; and however you, in _your_ station, and with _your_
pursuits, may deem otherwise, I would wish to observe, that persons in
_mine_ think differently."

Linton looked a perfect statue of contrition, nor did he utter another
word. Perhaps he felt that continuing the discussion would be but an
indifferent mode of compensating for the injury already incurred.

"And now, Mr. Linton, I conclude that it was not without a reason you
sought an interview at this unusual hour."

"The old story, my Lord; and as I came to ask a favor, I selected the
_petit lever_ as the most appropriate hour."

"Indeed! you surprise me much how an individual so much forgotten
as Lord Kilgoff can possibly be of service to that most promising
gentleman, Mr. Linton!"

Linton never heeded the sarcastic discontent of the speech, but went
on,--

"Yes, my Lord, you find me, as you have so often found me, a suppliant."

"I have nothing to bestow, sir."

"You can do all that I could ask, or even wish for, my Lord. My ambition
is not very unmeasured; my greatest desire is to have the opportunity of
frequent intercourse with you, and the benefit of that practical wisdom
for which your Lordship s conversation is distinguished at home and
abroad."

"My valet is not going to leave me," said the old man, with an insolence
of look that tallied with the rude speech.

"My Lord!--"

"Nay, nay, you must not be offended; I was rather jesting on my own
barrenness of patronage than upon your proposal."

Linton saw by the slight advantage he had gained that the bold course
was the more promising, and continued:--

"You will soon have a great deal of business on your hands, my Lord, and
so, I will economize your time and your patience. You have not heard, I
am aware, that Dollington has been recalled. The mission at Florence
is to give away, and I am here to ask for the secretaryship. I know well
that the appointment is a Foreign-Office one; but Blackwell, who gives
me the present information, says, 'If you have interest with Kilgoff,
push it now; his recommendation will, I know, be attended to.' He then
goes on to say that Dollington is most anxious to know if you would
take his house off his hands. He has been furnishing and arranging the
interior most expensively, never dreaming of a recall."

"When did this news come?" said Lord Kilgoff, sitting down and wiping
his forehead, on which the perspiration now stood, from a