nity that I declare I almost
thought myself young again, and capable of the self-cheat of believing
myself in love. But, oh! Brandon, imagine me at your brother's
board,--me, for whom ortolans are too substantial, and who feel, when I
tread, the slightest inequality in the carpets of Tournay,--imagine me,
dear Brandon, in a black wainscot room, hung round with your ancestors
in brown wigs with posies in their button-hole; an immense fire on one
side, and a thorough draught on the other; a huge circle of beef before
me, smoking like Vesuvius, and twice as large; a plateful (the plate was
pewter,--is there not a metal so called?) of this mingled flame and
lava sent under my very nostril, and upon pain of ill-breeding to be
despatched down my proper mouth; an old gentleman in fustian breeches
and worsted stockings, by way of a butler, filling me a can of ale, and
your worthy brother asking me if I would not prefer port; a lean footman
in livery,--such a livery, ye gods!--scarlet, blue, yellow, and green,
a rainbow ill made!--on the opposite side of the table, looking at the
'Lord' with eyes and mouth equally open, and large enough to swallow
me; and your excellent brother himself at the head of the table glowing
through the mists of the beef, like the rising sun in a signpost; and
then, Brandon, turning from this image, behold beside me the fair,
delicate, aristocratic, yet simple loveliness of your niece, and--But
you look angry; I have offended you?"

It was high time for Mauleverer to ask that question, for during the
whole of the earl's recital the dark face of his companion had literally
burned with rage; and here we may observe how generally selfishness,
which makes the man of the world, prevents its possessor, by a sort of
paradox, from being consummately so. For Mauleverer, occupied by the
pleasure he felt at his own wit, and never having that magic sympathy
with others which creates the incessantly keen observer, had not for a
moment thought that he was offending to the quick the hidden pride of
the lawyer. Nay, so little did he suspect Brandon's real weaknesses that
he thought him a philosopher who would have laughed alike at principles
and people, however near to him might be the latter, and however
important the former. Mastering by a single effort, which restored his
cheek to its usual steady hue, the outward signs of his displeasure,
Brandon rejoined,--

"Offend me! By no means, my dear lord. I do not wonder