along with me and you shall see her," broke in Tony; "she lives
within less than five minutes' walk of where we are. I am satisfied that
the matter should be left to your decision, Skefflngton."

"No, no," cried several, together; "take Mayfair with you. He is the
fittest man amongst us for such a criticism; he has studied these
matters profoundly."

"Here 's a health to all good lasses!" cried out another; and goblets
were filled with champagne, and drained in a moment, while some
attempted the song; and others, imagining that they had caught the air,
started off with "Here's to the Maiden of Blooming Fifteen," making up
an amount of confusion that was perfectly deafening, in which the waiter
entered to observe, in a very meek tone, that the Archdeacon of Halford
was entertaining a select party in the next room, and entreated that
they might be permitted to hear each other occasionally.

Such a burst of horror and indignation as followed this request! Some
were for an armed intervention at once; some for a general smash of all
things practicable; and two or three, haughtier in their drunkenness,
declared that the Star and Garter should have no more of their
patronage, and proudly ordered the waiter to fetch the bill.

"Thirty-seven--nine--six," said Mayfair, as he held the document near
a candle; "make it an even forty for the waiters, and it leaves five
pounds a head, eh?--not too much, after all."

"Well, I don't know; the asparagus was miserably small."

"And I got no strawberries."

"I have my doubts about that Moselle."

"It ain't dear; at least, it's not dearer than anywhere else."

While these criticisms were going forward, Tony perceived that each
one in turn was throwing down his sovereigns on the table, as his
contribution to the fund; and he approached Skeffington, to whisper that
he had forgotten his purse,--his sole excuse to explain, what he
would n't confess, that he believed he was an invited guest Skeff was,
however, by this time so completely overcome by the last toast that he
sat staring fatuously before him, and could only mutter, in a melancholy
strain, "To be, or not to be; that's a question."

"Can you lend me some money?" whispered Tony. "I if want your purse."

"He--takes my purse--trash--trash--" mumbled out the other.

"I 'll book up for Skeffy," said one of the guardsmen; "and now it's all
right."

"No," said Tony, aloud; "I haven't paid. I left my purse behind, and I
can't ma