n't
tell you.' And Andrew went away to Drummond, to whom he was more
communicative. Then he went to Melville, and one or two others, and the
eyes of many became concentrated on Raikes, and it was observed as a
singular sign that he was constantly facing about, and flushing the
fiercest red. Once he made an effort to get hold of Evan's arm and drag
him away, as one who had an urgent confession to be delivered of,
but Evan was talking to Lady Jocelyn, and other ladies, and quietly
disengaged his arm without even turning to notice the face of his
friend. Then the dinner was announced, and men saw the dinner. The
Countess went to shake her brother's hand, and with a very gratulatory
visage, said through her half-shut teeth.

'If Mama appears, rise up and go away with her, before she has time to
speak a word.' An instant after Evan found himself seated between Mrs.
Evremonde and one of the Conley girls. The dinner had commenced.
The first half of the Battle of the Bull-dogs was as peaceful as
any ordinary pic-nic, and promised to the general company as calm a
conclusion.

CHAPTER XXXI. THE BATTLE OF THE BULL-DOGS. PART II.

If it be a distinct point of wisdom to hug the hour that is, then
does dinner amount to a highly intellectual invitation to man, for it
furnishes the occasion; and Britons are the wisest of their race,
for more than all others they take advantage of it. In this Nature
is undoubtedly our guide, seeing that he who, while feasting his body
allows to his soul a thought for the morrow, is in his digestion
curst, and becomes a house of evil humours. Now, though the epicure may
complain of the cold meats, a dazzling table, a buzzing company,
blue sky, and a band of music, are incentives to the forgetfulness
of troubles past and imminent, and produce a concentration of the
faculties. They may not exactly prove that peace is established between
yourself and those who object to your carving of the world, but they
testify to an armistice.

Aided by these observations, you will understand how it was that the
Countess de Saldar, afflicted and menaced, was inspired, on taking her
seat, to give so graceful and stately a sweep to her dress that she was
enabled to conceive woman and man alike to be secretly overcome by it.
You will not refuse to credit the fact that Mr. Raikes threw care to
the dogs, heavy as was that mysterious lump suddenly precipitated on his
bosom; and you will think it not impossible that