A CLUB-ROOM. 25 



There Is a batch of capital Chablis in ice, nnd some 

 of Metternich's own Johannisberger, which Sefton 

 sent down the other day to Alvanley. Come along, 

 if you'll tell us the truth about this Virginian phoenix, 

 we'll feed you to your heart's desire." 



'' Not a word till I have eaten, and more especially 

 drank. My tongue cleaves to my jaws." 



And thereupon they adjourned to the dining-room, 

 and for a short time nothing was heard but the cluck- 

 ing of corks drawn from the long necks, and the clash 

 of knives, till the ardor of eating was repressed on all 

 sides ; and then, once more, Matuschevitz was besieged 

 by inquiries anent this new arriver at the head-quar- 

 ters and capital of fox-hunting, by general consent of 

 the world civilized or savage. 



" Upon my word, I can tell you very little more 

 about him than I have told already. He brought me 

 letters from Charles de Mornay, and from our embassy, 

 the Duchess de Dino and the Vaudreuils knew him in 

 Paris, and Lord Stuart de Rothesay recommended him 

 to Sefton and Hertford ; so that of coui^se, he is comme 

 ilfaut. I think he has got letters for you too, duke," 

 he added, turning to Beaufort. '' I really think he 

 will be an acquisition to our society. He is young and 

 fresh, without being in the least raw; enjoys every 

 thino; without beino; boisterous, and is fastidious enous^h 

 without being hlaze. I am sure he is good humored, 

 for I saw him lose eight thousand the other night to 

 Dick Mildmay at ecarte, w^ithout seeming to care 

 whether he won or lost." 



" Are you in earnest ?" 



" Upon my honor ! He gave his check for it on 

 Coutts ; and as Dick had not seen such a sight for 

 many a day, he took a cab at ten o'clock, and they 

 paid it without looking at it." 



"Ah!" said Duncombc, "that comes of Hhc colored 



