526 AN EPOCH IN THE LIFE OF 



for his whimsical crotchets about agricultural distress. He is sadly in 

 want of an apologist, and you must undertake that honourable office." 



" Pardon me, but I decline the glory." 



"Be not rash, Mulciber, and hearken to words of wisdom. It will 

 be an easy if not a pleasant task to interpolate a few defensive para- 

 graphs and a sprinkling of admiration at the just, comprehensive, and 

 statesmanlike views of my respected father-in-law (that is to be), Sir 

 Jaleel Sternhold, upon this refreshing question. Use the trowel, Mul- 

 ciber, and smear with a liberal hand. Tomakawk his revilers with a 

 ferocious spirit, and spare them not. Never think of the multitude, 

 but of the man ; if he reads, regard not my inestimable public it cares 

 little enough about anonymous scribblers, depend upon it but if he 

 reads, as read he shall, thy future pathway may lead to fortune." 



"The tones of your voice, Fred, during the last five minutes, have 

 alarmingly represented the bark of a dog. Does the sight of the water 

 move you much ?" 



" Be quiet, or I may bite. In the course of my inquiries I discovered 

 that Sir Jaleel's private secretary was about to give or had given up all 

 interest in mundane politics Pneumonia, in short, had marked him for 

 her own ; you, Mulciber, I have destined to supply his place so shall I 

 better your fortunes, so shall you better mine." 



" Generous, disinterested youth !" 



" The rustle of drapery is on the air, and yonder I see symptoms of a 

 gathering ; our companions approach. Be still and secret, Mulciber ; 

 to-morrow evening we resume the subject in solemn seriousness. Obey 

 my behest ; employ the interim in converting your corn-law rubbish into 

 something like a pungent defence ; we are secure of our futurum, and it 

 shall be a lever to lift the luck of both of us. It is enough for me to 

 draw the outline ; you have judgment at least, so you think, and we have 

 not time to dispute about it now and I leave you to fill in the details. 

 You may affect, if you please, to treat what I have said as a very trum- 

 pery rigmarole ; but mark me, Mulciber ruminate, and disdain it not. 

 Ladies ! again we rejoice in your gracious presence." 



It too soon became apparent, however, that one pair of the interesting 

 wanderers had stumbled upon a quarrel. Mr. Stephenson Cloves and 

 the amiable Miss Ogden were in the dumps she looked dark and tar- 

 taric, he cool and indignant. The cause of this episode was not, of 

 course, revealed ; but it was quite clear that a solution of continuity had 

 happened " to the pleasantest day in the world" at least, as regarded 

 them. When people have partaken too greedily of social happiness, it is 

 not unfrequently considered that a dose of ill-humour is the only true 

 corrective of the over-treat. The several members of the party, up to 

 this moment, had stood in the most amicable relation to each other ; but, 

 somehow, the petty feud began to be regarded with interest. Mr. Bute 

 and his lady, though previously in a state of the most tender cordiality, 

 became all at once taciturn. Mr. Hetherton made two or three abor- 

 tive attempts to fan the expiring harmony into a flame again ; but failing, 

 inwardly consigned their crabbedness to a very repulsive personage, and 

 became himself moody. Mulciber was fast relapsing into melancholy ; 

 Mr. Cloves' striped waistcoat had just reminded him of Truefit's last 

 pattern card : the image of that worthy citizen and its associate phan- 



