"Gad, he ought to have arrived at his destination by this time!"
"Oh! we'll all find that out when we get there."
"But' you forget we start in this new country with all the old-world civilisation."
"Yes, and all the old-world vices."
"Which are a natural concomitant of aforesaid civilisation."
"How abusive you all are," said Kitty, shrugging her shoulders; "people are not so bad as you make out."
"No, they're worse," said Delp lightly. "Put on your diamonds and go through Victoria like that young person in Moore's song, 'Rich and rare were the gems she wore,' you won't be treated as well, I promise you."
"I'm afraid I'm very careless of my diamonds," laughed Kitty; "I certainly take them home from the theatre every night, but I generally put the case safely away in the drawer of my looking-glass."
"A very safe place," observed Lazarus approvingly; "for illustration see Poe's story of 'The Purloined Letter.'"
"All the same, I wouldn't trust to fiction for suggestions," said Fenton gaily; "some night you'll be minus your jewels."