“Lasso is part of the verb 'to weary,' 'to fatigue,' 'to ennuyer, in fact,” said Mr. Linton, with an admirably-put-on simplicity; and a very general smile ran through the company.
“When did you see Gosford?” said Meek, addressing one of the hussar officers, eager to relieve the momentary embarrassment.
“Not for six months; he 's in Paris now.” “Does he mention me in his letter to you?”
“He does,” said the other, but with an evident constraint, and a side-look as he ended.
“Yes, faith, he forgets nane of us,” said Sir Andrew, with a grin. “He asks after Kannyfack,—ould sax-and-eightpence, he ca's you,—and says he wished you were at Paris, to gie him a dinner at the—what d' ye ca' it?—the Roshy de something. I see he has a word for ye, my Lord Kilgoff. He wants to know whether my leddie is like to gie ye an heir to the ancient house o' Kilgoff, in whilk case he 'll no be so fond of playing écarté wi' George Lushington, wha has naething to pay wi' except post-obits on yer lordship,—he, he, he! Ay, and Charlie, my man,” continued he, turning to the aide-de-camp, Lord Charles Frobisher, “he asks if ye hauld four by honors as often as ye used formerly; he says there 's a fellow at Paris ye could n't hold a candle to,—he never deals the adversary a card higher than the nine.”
The whole company, probably in relief to the evident dismay created by the allusion to Lord Kilgoff, laughed heartily at this sally, and none more than the good-looking fellow the object of it.
“But what of Meek, sir?—what does he say of Downie?”
“He says vera little about Mister Meek, ava; he only inquires what changes we have in the poleetical world, and where is that d—d humbug, Downie Meek?”
Another and a heartier laugh now ran through the room, in which Mr. Downie Meek cast the most Imploring looks around him.
“Well,” cried he, at last, “that's not fair; it is really not fair of Gosford. I appeal to this excellent company if I deserve the title.”