It is hoped that the following anecdote of the ways and customs of that rare animal, the modest, diffident youth (soon, naturalists assure us, to become as extinct in these islands as the Dodo), may afford a moment’s amusement to the superior young people who rule journalism, politics, and life for us to-day.

Some ten years ago Mr. Edward Everett came up from the wilds of Devonshire to study law with Braggart and Pushem, in Chancery Lane.  He was placed to board, by a prudent mother, with a quiet family in Bayswater.

That even quiet Bayswater families are not without their dangers Everett’s subsequent career may be taken as proof, but with this, at present, I have nothing to do.  I merely intend to give the history of his debut in society, although the title is one of which, after reading the following pages, you may find reason to complain.

Everett had not been many weeks in London when he received, quite unexpectedly, his first invitation to an evening party.

His mother’s interest had procured it for him, and it came from Lady Charlton, the wife of Sir Robert, the eminent Q.C.  It was with no little elation that he passed the card round the breakfast-table for the benefit of Mrs. Browne and the girls.  There stood Lady Charlton’s name, engraved in the centre, and his own, “Mr. Edward Everett,” written up in the left-hand corner; while the date, a Thursday in February, was as yet too far ahead for him to have any inkling of the trepidation he was presently to feel.

Everett, although nineteen, had never been to a real party before; in the wilds of Devonshire one does not even require dress clothes; therefore, after sending an acceptation in his best handwriting, his first step was to go and get himself measured for an evening suit.

Now, Everett looked even younger than his age, and this is felt to be a misfortune when one is still in one’s teens.  Later in life people appear to bear it much better.  He found himself feeling more than usually young and insignificant on presenting himself to his tailor and stating his requirements.  Mr. Lucas condescended to him from the elevation of six inches superior height and thirty years’ seniority.  He received Everett’s orders with toleration, and re-translated them with decision.  “Certainly, sir, I understand what you mean precisely.  What you require is this, that, or the other;” and the young gentleman found himself meekly gathering views that never had emanated from his own bosom.  Nevertheless he took the most profound interest in the building up of his suit, and constantly invented excuses to drop in upon Mr. Lucas and see how the work was getting on.

Meanwhile, at home he, with the Browne girls, especially with Lily, the youngest, often discussed the coming “At Home.”  Lily wondered what Lady Charlton was like, if she had any daughters, whether there would be dancing.  Everett had never seen his hostess; thought, however, he had heard there were daughters, but sincerely hoped they wouldn’t dance; for, although the Browne girls had taught him to waltz, he was conscious he did them small credit as pupil.