of England.
He does not pardon any more than I would pardon."

"And as God lives and reigns, I do not greatly blame him," said young
Calverley. "This man at least was wronged. Concerning you I do not
speak, because of a false dream I had once very long ago. Yet
Umfraville was treated infamously. I dare concede what I could not
permit another man to say and live, now that I drink a toast which I
must drink alone. For I drink to the honor of the Calverleys. I have
not ever lied to any person in this world, and so I may not drink with
you."

"Oh, but you drink because you know your death to be the one event
which can insure her happiness," cried Ufford. "We are not much
unlike. And I dare say it is only an imaginary Honoria we love, after
all. Yet, look, my fellow-Ixion! for to the eye at least is she not
perfect?"

The two men gazed for a long while. Amid that coterie of exquisites,
wherein allusion to whatever might be ugly in the world was tacitly
allowed to be unmentionable, Lady Honoria glitteringly went about the
moment's mirthful business with lovely ardor. You saw now unmistakably
that "Light Queen of Elfdom, dead Titania's heir" of whom Ufford writes
in the fourth Satire. Honoria's prettiness, rouged, frail, and
modishly enhanced, allured the eye from all less elfin brilliancies;
and as she laughed among so many other relishers of life her charms
became the more instant, just as a painting quickens in every tint when
set in an appropriate frame.

"There is no other way," her husband said. He drank and toasted what
was dearest in the world, smiling to think how death came to him in
that wine's familiar taste. "I drink to the most lovely of created
ladies! and to her happiness!"

He snapped the stem of the glass and tossed it joyously aside.

"Assuredly, there is no other way," said Ufford. "And armored by that
knowledge, even I may drink as honorable people do. Pro honoria!" Then
this man also broke his emptied glass.

"How long have I to live?" said Calverley, and took snuff.

"Why, thirty years, I think, unless you duel too immoderately," replied
Lord Ufford,--"since while you looked at Honoria I changed our glasses.
No! no! a thing done has an end. Besides, it is not unworthy of me.
So go boldly to the Earl of Bute and tell him all. You are my cousin
and my successor. Yes, very soon you, too, will be a peer of England
and as safe from molestation as is Lord Pevensey. I am the firs