Lord Cadurcis’ neighbour and Mr. Pole exchanged looks; and the lady, emboldened by the unexpected conduct of her cavalier and the exceeding good friends which he seemed resolved to be with her and every one else, began to flatter herself that she might yet obtain the much-desired inscription in her volume.  So, after making the usual approaches, of having a great favour to request, which, however, she could not flatter herself would be granted, and which she even was afraid to mention; encouraged by the ready declaration of Lord Cadurcis, that he should think it would be quite impossible for any one to deny her anything, the lady ventured to state, that Mr. Fox had written something in her book, and she should be the most honoured and happiest lady in the land if—­’

‘Oh!  I shall be most happy,’ said Lord Cadurcis; ’I really esteem your request quite an honour:  you know I am only a literary amateur, and cannot pretend to vie with your real authors.  If you want them, you must go to Mrs. Montagu.  I would not write a line for her, and no the blues have quite excommunicated me.  Never mind; I leave them to Miss Hannah More; but you, you are quite a different sort of person.  What shall I write?’

‘I must leave the subject to you,’ said his gratified friend.

‘Well, then,’ said his lordship, ’I dare say you have got a lapdog or a broken fan; I don’t think I could soar above them.  I think that is about my tether.’

This lady, though a great person, was not a beauty, and very little of a wit, and not calculated in any respect to excite the jealousy of Lady Monteagle.  In the meantime that lady was quite delighted with the unusual animation of Lord Cadurcis, who was much the most entertaining member of the party.  Every one present would circulate throughout the world that it was only at the Monteagle’s that Lord Cadurcis condescended to be amusing.  As the Bishop was seated on her right hand, Lady Monteagle seized the opportunity of making inquiries as to their acquaintance; but she only obtained from the good Masham that he had once resided in his lordship’s neighbourhood, and had known him as a child, and was greatly attached to him.  Her ladyship was anxious to obtain some juvenile anecdotes of her hero; but the Bishop contrived to be amusing without degenerating into gossip.  She did not glean much, except that all his early friends were more astonished at his present career than the Bishop himself, who was about to add, that he always had some misgivings, but, recollecting where he was, he converted the word into a more gracious term.  But if Lady Monteagle were not so successful as she could wish in her inquiries, she contrived still to speak on the, to her, ever-interesting subject, and consoled herself by the communications which she poured into a guarded yet not unwilling ear, respecting the present life and conduct of the Bishop’s former pupil.  The worthy dignitary had been prepared by public fame for much that was dazzling and eccentric;