then commenced with you.  Singular to state, he is an admirer of Congreve and all that school, so I am sure you will have plenty of topics in common.  Mr Plumper has made an enormous fortune as a contractor, and now chiefly occupies himself with works of charity and benevolence.  One of his special hobbies is the introduction of the aesthetic principle into Kindergartens.  I have given him a hint not to introduce his vulgar friend Flamm—­pardon me the expression, though he is a Radical.  I have given Plumper a few lines to Lady Gules.  Please do all you can to overcome the prejudice against him which both she and Lord Gules are sure to entertain; and believe me, yours faithfully,

“ADOLPHUS GRESHAM.”

Lady G.  A Radical, a plutocrat, and an infidel!  That is a mixture that ought to suit you, Elaine.

El.  Quite as well as a Tory, a spendthrift, and a bigot, which is the one I usually meet in society, mamma.  But please do not let us quarrel.  I always try to be polite to your mixtures.  For Mr Gresham’s sake, be civil to mine.

Lady G.  For Mr Gresham’s sake, indeed!  What have you done for Mr Gresham’s sake that puts me under an obligation to him?  However, I suppose we must ask the man to dinner.  Is there any address on his card?

El. 20 Heavitree Gardens.

Lady G.  One of those millionaire palaces, I suppose, in the back regions of South Kensington.  The carriage is waiting, so I shall leave you to write the invitation.  You had better ask him for Tuesday, when we have got some people coming to dinner.

[Exit Lady Gules.

El. [taking up the letter, reads].  “Now chiefly occupies himself with works of charity and benevolence.  One of his special hobbies is the introduction of aesthetic principles into Kindergartens.”  How refreshing to meet a man at last who takes a living interest in the welfare of his fellow-creatures!  I am sure I shall like him. [ Writes, and rings the bell.]

Enter Charles.

Lady E.  Please put this in the post, Charles. [Exit Charles.] Now I must go and get ready to go out riding with papa, and reconcile him to the dreadful idea of having “a Radical, a plutocrat, and an infidel” at his dinner-table. [Exit Elaine.

(A month elapses.)

SCENE IV.—­Lady Gules’s Boudoir.  Lord and Lady Gules.

Lord G.  I tell you what it is, my dear—­we’ve only known that fellow Plumper a month, and he has already completely captivated Elaine with his Kindergarten, and his sunflowers, and his hatred of the landed interest and Irish coercion, and love of the cloture and humanity, and Buddha and Brahma, and Zoroaster and Mahomet, and all the rest of them.  I must really take steps to find out whether Gresham was well informed about his reputed wealth.  I shall ride down and take a look at 20 Heavitree Gardens to-morrow.  I haven’t met a single man at the Club who has ever heard of him.