‘Apropos, will you dine with me to-day, Mirabel?’ said Mr. de Stockville.
‘Impossible, my dear fellow; I dine with Fitz-warrene.’
‘I say, Mirabel,’ drawled out a young man, ‘I saw you yesterday driving a man down to Richmond yourself. Who is your friend?’
‘No one you know, or will know. ‘Tis the best fellow that ever lived; but he is under my guidance, and I shall be very particular to whom he is introduced.’
‘Lord! I wonder who he can be!’ said the young man.
‘I say, Mirabel, you will be done on Goshawk, if you don’t take care, I can tell you that.’
‘Thank you, good Coventry; if you like to bet the odds, I will take them.’
‘No, my dear fellow, I do not want to bet, but at the same time———’
‘You have an opinion that you will not back. That is a luxury, for certainly it is of no, use. I would advise you to enjoy it.’
‘Well, I must say, Mirabel,’ said Lord Catchimwhocan, ‘I think the same about Goshawk.’