that several of our acquaintances have expressed a wish to be introduced
to him."

"We must not give up the point, my love. Doctor Plausible may make a
splash once; but I suspect that his horses eat him out of house and
home, and interfere very much with the butcher's bills. If so, we who
keep no carriage can afford it better. But it's very annoying, as there
will be an increase of expense."

"Very annoying, indeed!" replied the lady. "Look at his card, my dear,
it is nearly twice as large as ours. I begged it of Mr Tomkins, on
purpose to compare it."

"Well then, my dear, we must order others, and mind that they measure an
inch more than his. It shall cost him something before we have done,
I'm determined."

"You heard what Mr Smithson said? They gave negus and cherry-water."

"We must do the same. I've a great mind to give ices."

"Oh! my love, remember the expense."

"Very true; but we can ice our negus and cherry-water. Rough ice is
only two-pence a pound, I believe."

"Well, that will be an improvement."

"And there shall be more, or I'll be in the Bench," replied the Doctor
in his wrath.

The next _conversazione_, for which cards were issued by Doctor
Feasible, was on a superior scale. There was a considerable increase of
company. He had persuaded a country baronet; secured the patronage of
two ladies of rank (with a slight blot on their escutcheons), and
collected, amongst others, a French count (or adventurer), a baron with
mustachios, two German students in their costumes and long hair, and an
actress of some reputation. He had also procured the head of a New
Zealand chief; some red snow, or rather red water (for it was melted),
brought home by Captain Ross; a piece of granite from the Croker
mountains; a kitten in spirits, with two heads and twelve legs, and
half-a-dozen abortions of the feathered or creeping tribes. Every thing
went off well. The two last fees he had received were sacrificed to
have the party announced in the Morning Post, and Doctor Feasible's
triumph was complete.

But it was not to last long. In ten days Dr Plausible's cards were
again issued, larger than Doctor Feasible's, and with a handsome
embossed border of lilies and roses. Male attendants, tea and coffee,
ices and liqueurs were prepared; and Dr Feasible's heart failed him,
when he witnessed the ingress and egress of the pastrycooks, with their
boxes on their heads. Among his company he had already mus