ited upon by the
servant-of-all-work. The period of my little illusions is over. You
cured me of my first love who, certainly was a fool, and would have had
a fool for her husband, and a very sulky discontented husband too if
she had taken me. We young fellows live fast, sir; and I feel as old at
five-and-twenty as many of the old fo--the old bachelors--whom I see
in the bow-window at Bays's. Don't look offended, I only mean that I
am blase about love matters, and that I could no more fan myself into a
flame for Miss Amory now, than I could adore Lady Mirabel over again. I
wish I could; I rather like old Mirabel for his infatuation about her,
and think his passion is the most respectable part of his life."

"Sir Charles Mirabel was always a theatrical man, sir," the Major said,
annoyed that his nephew should speak flippantly of any person of Sir
Charles's rank and station. "He has been occupied with theatricals
since his early days. He acted at Carlton House when he was Page to the
Prince; he has been mixed up with that sort of thing: he could afford
to marry whom he chooses; and Lady Mirabel is a most respectable woman,
received everywhere--everywhere, mind. The Duchess of Connaught receives
her, Lady Rockminster receives her--it doesn't become young fellows to
speak lightly of people in that station. There's not a more respectable
woman in England than Lady Mirabel:--and the old fogies, as you call
them, at Bays's, are some of the first gentlemen in England, of whom you
youngsters had best learn a little manners, and a little breeding, and
a little modesty." And the Major began to think that Pen was growing
exceedingly pert and conceited, and that the world made a great deal too
much of him.

The Major's anger amused Pen. He studied his uncle's peculiarities with
a constant relish, and was always in a good humour with his worldly old
Mentor. "I am a youngster of fifteen years' standing, sir," he said,
adroitly, "and if you think that we are disrespectful, you should see
those of the present generation. A protege of yours came to breakfast
with me the other day. You told me to ask him, and I did it to please
you. We had a day's sights together, and dined at the club, and went to
the play. He said the wine at the Polyanthus was not so good as Ellis's
wine at Richmond, smoked Warrington's cavendish after breakfast, and
when I gave him a sovereign as a farewell token, said he had plenty of
them, but would take it to show