and where
they did it' observing accuracy as to Christian names, and as many
dates as possible."

"I'll do it," said Foglass, as he read over the "instruction."

"We want it soon, too," said Mrs. Ricketts. "Tell him we shall need the
information at once."

"This with speed," wrote Haggerstone at the foot of the memorandum.

Foglass bowed a deep assent.

"How like his grandfather!" said Mrs. Ricketts, in ecstasy.

"I never knew he had one," whispered Haggerstone to the Pole. "His
father was a coachmaker in Long Acre."

"Is he not thought very like them?" asked Mrs. Ricketts, with a sidelong
glance of admiration at the auburn peruke.

"I've heard that the wig is authentic, madam."

"He has so much of that regal urbanity in his manner."

"If he is not the first gentleman of England," muttered Haggerstone to
himself, "he is the first one in his own family, at least."

"By the way," said Mrs. Ricketts, hastily, "let him inquire into that
affair of Lord Norwood."

"No necessity, madam. The affair is in 'Bell's Life,' with the
significant question, 'Where is he?' But he can learn the particulars,
at all events." And he made a note in the book.

"How dreadful all this, and how sad to think Florence should be the
resort of such people!"

"If it were not for rapparees and refugees, madam, house-rent would be
very inexpensive," said the Colonel, in a subdued voice; while,
turning to the Pole, he added, "and if respectability is to be always
a caricature, I'd as soon have its opposite. I suppose you do not admit
the Viscount, madam?"

"He has not ventured to present himself," said Mrs. Ricketts, proudly.
"I hope that there is, at least, one sanctuary where virtue can live
unmolested." And, as she spoke, she looked over at Martha, who was
working away patiently; but whether happy in the exclusive tariff
aforesaid, or somewhat tired of "protection," we are unable to say.

"What has he do?" asked the Count.

"He has done the 'ring' all round, I believe," said Haggerstone,
chuckling at a joke which he alone could appreciate.

"Dey do talk of play in England!" said the Pole, contemptuously. "Dey
never do play high, wit there leetle how do you call 'em? bets, of tree,
four guinea, at ecarte. But in Polen we have two, tree, five tousand
crowns on each card. Dere, crack! you lose a fortune, or I do win one!
One evening at Garowidsky's I do lose one estate of seventeen million
florins, but I no care noting for all dat