As she spoke, Darcy and Griffith entered the room.

“We have been canvassing,” said Emily, after the usual forms of introduction had been gone through, “the merits of our friend, Sir Frederic Beaumantle.  By the way, Reginald, he dines here to-day, and so will another gentleman, whom I shall be happy to introduce to you, Captain Garland, an esteemed friend of mine and Miss Danvers’.”

“Sir Frederic seems,” said Griffith, by way merely of taking part in the conversation, “at all events, a very good-natured man.  I have seen him but once, and he has already promised to use all his influence in my behalf, in whatever profession I may embark.  If medicine, I am to have half-a-dozen dowagers, always ailing and never ill, put under my charge the moment I can add M.D. to my name; not to speak of certain mysterious hints of an introduction at court, and an appointment of physician extraordinary to Her Majesty.  I suppose I may depend upon Sir Frederic’s promises?”

“Oh, certainly,” said Miss Sherwood, “you may depend upon Sir Frederic Beaumantle’s promises; they will never fail; they are inexhaustible.”

“The fool!” said Darcy with impatience, “I could forgive him any thing but that ridiculous ostentation he has of patronizing men, who, but they have more politeness than himself, would throw back his promises with open derision.”

“Reginald,” said Miss Sherwood, “is always forgiving Sir Frederic every fault but one.  But then that one fault changes every day.  Last time he would pardon him every thing except the fulsome eulogy he is in the habit of bestowing upon his friends, even to their faces.  You must know, Mr Griffith, that Sir Frederic is a most liberal chapman in this commodity of praise:  he will give any man a bushel-full of compliments who will send him back the measure only half filled.  Nay, if there are but a few cherries clinging to the wicker-work he is not wholly dissatisfied.”

“What he gives he knows is trash,” said Darcy; “what he receives he always flatters himself to be true coin.  But indeed Sir Frederic is somewhat more just in his dealings than you, perhaps, imagine.  If he bestows excessive laudation on a friend in one company, he takes it all back again in the very next he enters.”

“And still his amiability shines through all; for he abuses the absent friend only to gratify the self-love of those who are present.”

The door opened as Miss Sherwood gave this coup-de-grace to the character of the baronet, and Sir Frederic Beaumantle was announced, and immediately afterwards, Captain Garland.

Miss Sherwood, somewhat to the surprise of Darcy, who was not aware that any such intimacy subsisted between them, received Captain Garland with all the cordiality of an old acquaintance.  On the other hand she introduced the baronet to Miss Danvers with that slightly emphatic manner which intimates that the parties may entertain a “high consideration” for each other.