perceive that our
laundress, Mrs. Flanagan, was intoxicated very early in the afternoon.
Percy Sibwright sang admirably, and with the greatest spirit, ditties in
many languages. I am sure Miss Rosey thought him (as indeed he is)
one of the most fascinating young fellows about town. To her mother's
excellent accompaniment Rosey sang her favourite songs (by the way, her
stock was very small--five, I think, was the number). Then the table was
moved into a corner, where the quivering moulds of jelly seemed to
keep time to the music; and whilst Percy played, two couple of waltzers
actually whirled round the little room. No wonder that the court below
was thronged with admirers, that Paley the reading man was in a rage,
and Mrs. Flanagan in a state of excitement. Ah! pleasant days, happy
gold dingy chambers illuminated by youthful sunshine! merry songs and
kind faces--it is pleasant to recall you. Some of those bright eyes
shine no more: some of those smiling lips do not speak. Some are not
less kind, but sadder than in those days: of which the memories revisit
us for a moment, and sink back into the grey past. The dear old Colonel
beat time with great delight to the songs; the widow lit his cigar
with her own fair fingers. That was the only smoke permitted during the
entertainment--George Warrington himself not being allowed to use his
cutty-pipe--though the gay little widow said that she had been used
to smoking in the West Indies and I dare say spoke the truth. Our
entertainment lasted actually until after dark: and a particularly neat
cab being called from St. Clement's by Mr. Binnie's boy, you may be
sure we all conducted the ladies to their vehicle: and many a fellow
returning from his lonely club that evening into chambers must have
envied us the pleasure of having received two such beauties.

The clerical bachelor was not to be outdone by the gentlemen of the bar;
and the entertainment at the Temple was followed by one at Honeyman's
lodgings, which, I must own, greatly exceeded ours in splendour, for
Honeyman had his luncheon from Gunter's; and if he had been Miss Rosey's
mother, giving a breakfast to the dear girl on her marriage, the affair
could not have been more elegant and handsome. We had but two
bouquets at our entertainment; at Honeyman's there were four upon the
breakfast-table, besides a great pineapple, which must have cost the
rogue three or four guineas, and which Percy Sibwright delicately cut
up. Rose