I doesn't."

"Well, then, go and see."

"Yes, ma'am."

The impatience of Mrs Plausible, during the absence of Thomas,
increased with the repetition of the knocks.

"Well, Thomas?" said she, as the footman entered. "If you please,
ma'am, Mr Feasible has got a conwersation--that's all."

"Got a what?"

"A _conversazione_ he means, my dear. It's very strange that Mr
Feasible should pretend to give such a thing!"

"I think so too," replied the lady. "He keeps no carriage. What can be
his inducement!"

"I perceive," replied Dr Plausible, "he wants to get practice. Depend
upon it that's his plan. A sprat to catch a mackerel!"

Husband and wife were again silent, and resumed their occupations; but
the Lancet was not read, and the knotting was all in knots, for they
were both in a brown study. At last Mrs Plausible commenced--

"I really do not see, my dear, why we should not give a _conversazione_
as well as Dr Feasible?"

"I was just thinking that we could give them much better; our
acquaintance now is very numerous."

"And very respectable," replied the lady; "it will make us more known in
the world."

"And add to my practice. I'll soon beat Doctor Feasible out of the
field!"

The result of this conversation was a _conversazione_, which certainly
was on a much better scale, and better attended than the one collected
by Doctor Feasible. Doctor Plausible had pumped a mutual acquaintance
as to the merits of his rival, and had set to work with great diligence.

He ordered his carriage, and for two or three days previous to the one
fixed, went round to all his friends, who had curiosities, foreign,
indigenous, or continental, admired them, talked learnedly, expressed a
wish to exhibit them to several gentlemen of talent at his next
conversazione, pulled out a card for the party, and succeeded in
returning home with his carriage stuffed with curiosities and
monstrosities.

Negus and cherry-water were added to tea in the refreshment-room; and
the conversazione of Doctor Plausible was pronounced by those who had
been invited to both, infinitely superior to that of Doctor Feasible. A
good-natured friend called upon Doctor and Mrs Feasible with the news.
They pretended indifference, as they bit their lips to conceal their
vexation. As soon as he took his leave--

"Well, my dear," said Mrs Feasible, "what do you think of this? Very
unhandsome on the part of Doctor Plausible! I was told this morning