ut some nice girl for yours truly? One with lauds and beeves,
with rents and consols, mark you? I have no money, 'tis true, but then
I don't owe as much as you. I am a handsomer man than you are. Look at
this chest" (he slaps it), "these limbs; they are manly, sir, manly."

"For Heaven's sake, Bayham," cries Mr. Honeyman, white with terror; "if
anybody were to come----"

"What did I say anon, sir? that I was manly, ay, manly. Let any ruffian,
save a bailiff, come and meet the doughty arm of Frederick Bayham."

"Oh, Lord, Lord, here's somebody coming into the room!" cries Charles,
sinking back on the sofa, as the door opens.

"Ha! dost thou come with murderous intent?" and he now advances in an
approved offensive attitude. "Caitiff, come on, come on!" and he walks
off with a tragic laugh, crying, "Ha, ha, ha, 'tis but the slavey!"

The slavey has Mr. Frederick's hot water, and a bottle of sodawater on
the same tray. He has been instructed to bring soda whenever he
hears the word slavey pronounced from above. The bottle explodes, and
Frederick drinks, and hisses after his drink as though he had been all
hot within.

"What's o'clock now, slavey--half-past three? Let me see, I breakfasted
exactly ten hours ago, in the rosy morning, off a modest cup of coffee
in Covent Garden Market. Coffee, a penny; bread, a simple halfpenny.
What has Mrs. Ridley for dinner?"

"Please, sir, roast pork."

"Get me some. Bring it into my room, unless, Honeyman, you insist upon
my having it here, kind fellow!"

At the moment a smart knock comes to the door, and Fred says, "Well,
Charles, it may be a friend or a lady come to confess, and I'm off;
I knew you'd be sorry I was going. Tom, bring up my things; brush 'em
gently, you scoundrel, and don't take the nap off. Bring up the roast
pork, and plenty of apple-sauce, tell Mrs. Ridley, with my love; and one
of Mr. Honeyman's shirts, and one of his razors. Adieu, Charles! Amend!
Remember me." And he vanishes into the upper chambers.

CHAPTER XII. In which everybody is asked to Dinner

John James had opened the door hastening to welcome a friend and patron,
the sight of whom always gladdened the youth's eyes; no other than
Clive Newcome--in young Ridley's opinion, the most splendid, fortunate,
beautiful, high-born, and gifted youth this island contained. What
generous boy in his time has not worshipped somebody? Before the female
enslaver makes her appearance, every lad has a fri