supper and absorb his drink, and enter affably into conversation with
anybody who entered the room.

Sir Francis Clavering and Mr. Wagg found him there, when they left the
ballroom, which they did pretty early--Sir Francis to go and smoke
a cigar, and look at the people gathered outside the ballroom on the
shore, which he declared was much better fun than to remain within; Mr.
Wagg to hang on to a Baronet's arm, as he was always pleased to do on
the arm of the greatest man in the company. Colonel Altamont had stared
at these gentlemen in so odd a manner, as they passed through the
'Select' room, that Clavering made inquiries of the landlord who he was,
and hinted a strong opinion that the officer of the Nawaub's service was
drunk.

Mr. Pynsent, too, had had the honour of a conversation with the servant
of the Indian potentate. It was Pynsent's cue to speak to everybody
(which he did, to do him justice, in the most ungracious manner); and he
took the gentleman in the black wig for some constituent, some merchant
captain, or other outlandish man of the place. Mr. Pynsent, then, coming
into the refreshment-room with a lady, the wife of a constituent, on his
arm, the Colonel asked him if he would try a glass of Sham? Pynsent
took it with great gravity, bowed, tasted the wine, and pronounced
it excellent, and with the utmost politeness retreated before Colonel
Altamont. This gravity and decorum routed and surprised the Colonel more
than any other kind of behaviour probably would: he stared after Pynsent
stupidly, and pronounced to the landlord over the counter that he was
a rum one. Mr. Rincer blushed, and hardly knew what to say. Mr. Pynsent
was a county Earl's grandson, going to set up as a Parliament man.
Colonel Altamont on the other hand, wore orders and diamonds, jingled
sovereigns constantly in his pocket, and paid his way like a man; so not
knowing what to say, Mr. Rincer said, "Yes, Colonel--yes, ma'am, did
you say tea? Cup a tea for Mr. Jones, Mrs. R.," and so got off that
discussion regarding Mr. Pynsent's qualities, into which the Nizam's
officer appeared inclined to enter.

In fact, if the truth must be told, Mr. Altamont, having remained at
the buffet almost all night, and employed himself very actively whilst
there, had considerably flushed his brain by drinking, and he was still
going on drinking, when Mr. Strong and Miss Amory entered the room.

When the Chevalier ran out of the apartment, attracted by