The evening passed in interesting and diverting conversation; of course, principally contributed by the two travellers, who had seen so much.  Inspirited by his interview with Lady Annabel, and her gracious reception of his overtures, Lord Cadurcis was in one of those frolic humours, which we have before noticed was not unnatural to him.  He had considerable powers of mimicry, and the talent that had pictured to Venetia in old days, with such liveliness, the habits of the old maids of Morpeth, was now engaged on more considerable topics; an interview with a pasha, a peep into a harem, a visit to a pirate’s isle, the slave-market, the bazaar, the barracks of the janissaries, all touched with irresistible vitality, and coloured with the rich phrases of unrivalled force of expression.  The laughter was loud and continual; even Lady Annabel joined zealously in the glee.  As for Herbert, he thought Cadurcis by far the most hearty and amusing person he had ever known, and could not refrain from contrasting him with the picture which his works and the report of the world had occasionally enabled him to sketch to his mind’s eye; the noble, young, and impassioned bard, pouring forth the eloquent tide of his morbid feelings to an idolising world, from whose applause he nevertheless turned with an almost misanthropic melancholy.

It was now much past the noon of night, and the hour of separation, long postponed, was inevitable.  Often had Cadurcis risen to depart, and often, without regaining his seat, had he been tempted by his friends, and especially Venetia, into fresh narratives.  At last he said, ’Now we must go.  Lady Annabel looks good night.  I remember the look,’ he said, laughing, ’when we used to beg for a quarter of an hour more.  O Venetia! do not you remember that Christmas when dear old Masham read Julius Caesar, and we were to sit up until it was finished.  When he got to the last act I hid his spectacles.  I never confessed it until this moment.  Will you pardon me, Lady Annabel?’ and he pressed his hands together in a mockery of supplication.

‘Will you come and breakfast with us to-morrow?’ said Lady Annabel.

‘With delight,’ he answered.  ’I am used, you know, to walks before breakfast.  George, I do not think George can do it, though.  George likes his comforts; he is a regular John Bull.  He was always calling for tea when we were in Turkey!’

At this moment Mistress Pauncefort entered the room, ostensibly on some little affair of her mistress, but really to reconnoitre.

’Ah!  Mistress Pauncefort; my old friend, Mistress Pauncefort, how do you do?’ exclaimed his lordship.

’Quite well, my lord, please your lordship; and very glad to see your lordship again, and looking so well too.’

‘Ah!  Mistress Pauncefort, you always flattered me!’

‘Oh! dear, my lord, your lordship, no,’ said Mistress Pauncefort, with a simper.

‘But you, Pauncefort,’ said Cadurcis, ’why there must be some magic in the air here.  I have been complimenting your lady and Miss Venetia; but really, you, I should almost have thought it was some younger sister.’