tered up five
celebrated blues; four ladies of quality, of better reputation than Dr
Feasible's; seven or eight baronets and knights; a bishop of Fernando
Po; three or four general officers; and a dozen French and German
visitors to the country, who had not only titles, but wore orders at
their button-holes. Thus far had he advanced when he met Newton
Forster, and added him to the list of the invited. In about two hours
afterwards Dr Plausible returned home to his wife, radiant with smiles.

"My dear, who _do_ you think has promised to come to-morrow night?"

"Who, my love?"

"Prince Fizzybelli!"

"You don't say so?" screamed the lady with her delight.

"Yes, most faithfully promised."

"What _will_ the Feasibles say?" cried the lady;--"but--is he a real
prince?"

"A real prince! O yes, indeed is he! well known in Tartary."

"Well, Dr Plausible, I have good news for you. Here is a note from Mr
H---, in answer to yours, in which he promises you the loan of the wax
figure from Germany, of a female in the first stage of par--partu--I
can't make out the word."

"Excellent! most excellent!" cried the doctor, rubbing his hands; "now
we _shall_ do."

Newton, who had some curiosity to see a _conversazione_, which to him
was a _terra incognita_, did not fail to go at the appointed hour. He
was ushered up stairs into the drawing-room, at the door of which he was
received by Mrs Plausible, in blue and silver. The rooms not being
very large, were extremely crowded, and Newton at one moment found
himself jammed against some curiosity, and at another treading on the
toes or heels of people who accepted his apologies, looking daggers; and
with a snarling, "don't mention it."

But a thundering knock at the door was followed by the announcement of
his Highness Prince Fizzybelli--Prince Fizzybelli at the door--Prince
Fizzybelli coming up--Prince Fizzybelli (enters).

Had it been permitted, Dr Plausible would have received his guest with
a flourish of trumpets, as great men are upon the stage, without which
it is impossible now-a-days to know a great man from a little one.
However, the hired attendants did their duty, and the name of Fizzybelli
was fizzed about the room in every direction. Dr Plausible trod on the
corns of old Lady G---, upset Miss Periwinkle, and nearly knocked down a
French _savant_, in his struggle to obtain the door to receive his
honoured guest, who made a bow, looked at the crowd--looked at the