"Apropos, Mr. Brummell," said I turning to him. "I have never yet had time to acknowledge your effusion; and I have the less regret on that score, because I learned from Fanny to-day that you are false-hearted."
"Julia and I," said Brummell, "are very old friends, you know."
"True," said I, "which, I suppose, accounts for her preference of Horace Beckford."
Brummell's pride appeared to take alarm as he inquired if Julia really admired Horace.
"I know nothing whatever about it," answered I, "except that I saw them both at the window together to-day."
Brummell seized his hat.
"Take Fred Bentinck with you," said I.
"Come Fred," said Brummell; "but you have not heard what the Duke of York says of you."
"I can guess," replied Fred, trying to make his goodnatured face severe and cross.
"Oh! he has accused you to your face, I see," reiterated Brummell.