I know a
far shrewder wit than many others, I should perform second and third
rate parts in this great comedy of life, while many without higher
qualifications are 'cast for the best characters.' This little score I
do try and exact, not from individuals, but the world at large. Mischief
with me is the child's pleasure in deranging the chessmen when the
players are most intent on the game."

"Now, as to these Onslows, for we must be practical, padre mio," said
Jekyl, "let us see what is to be done with them. As regards matrimony,
the real prize has left for England, this Dalton girl may or may not be
a 'hit;' some aver that she is heiress to a large estate, of which the
Onslows have obtained possession, and that they destine her for the
young Guardsman. This must be inquired into. My Lady has 'excellent
dispositions,' and may have become anything or everything."

"Let her come to 'the Church,' then," growled out the canon.

"Gently, padre, gently," said Jekyl, "you are really too covetous, and
would drag the river always from your own net. We have been generous,
hugely generous, to you for the last three seasons, and have made all
your converts the pets of society, no matter how small and insignificant
their pretensions. The vulgar have been adopted in the best circles, the
ugly dubbed beautiful, the most tiresome of old maids have been reissued
from the mint as new coinage. We have petted, flattered, and fawned upon
those 'interesting Christians,' as the 'Tablet' would call them, till
the girls began to feel that there were no partners for a polka outside
the Church of Rome, and that all the 'indulgences' of pleasure, like
those of religion, came from the Pope. We cannot give you the Onslows,
or, at least, not yet. We have yet to marry the daughter, provide for
the friend, squeeze the sou."

"Profligate young villain! Reach me the champagne, Nina; and, Nina, tell
your young mistress that it is scarcely respectful to come on foot to
the mid-day mass; that the clergy of the town like to see the equipages
of the rich before the doors of the cathedral, as a suitable homage to
the Church. The Onslows have carriages in abundance, and their liveries
are gorgeous and splendid!"

"It was her own choice," said Nina; "she is a singular girl for one that
never before knew luxury of any kind."

"I hate these simple tastes," growled out the padre; "they bespeak that
obstinacy which people call a 'calm temperament.' Her own dre