‘Yes!’ said Lord Squib, ‘to judge from what the world says, one would think, Annesley, you were a Brummel!’
‘Squib, not even in jest couple my name with one whom I will not call a savage, merely because he is unfortunate.’
‘What did you think of little Eugenie, Annesley, last night?’ asked the Duke.
‘Well, very well, indeed; something like Brocard’s worst.’
‘I was a little disappointed in her début, and much interested in her success. She was rather a favourite of mine in Paris, so I invited her to the Alhambra yesterday, with Claudius Piggott and some more. I had half a mind to pull you in, but I know you do not much admire Piggott.’
‘On the contrary, I have been in Piggott’s company without being much offended.’
‘I think Piggott improves,’ said Lord Darrell. ‘It was those waistcoats which excited such a prejudice against him when he first came over.’
‘What! a prejudice against Peacock Piggott!’ said Lord Squib; ‘pretty Peacock Piggott! Tell it not in Gath, whisper it not in Ascalon; and, above all, insinuate it not to Lady de Courcy.’
‘There is not much danger of my insinuating anything to her,’ said Mr. Annesley.
‘Your compact, I hope, is religiously observed,’ said the Duke.