“No.”
“Nor Count Castor?”
“No.”
“Then I’m in error.”
“No you’re not. I was the Colonel once; then I became the Count by way of loan; and then I came here—as he said by mistake.”
“Why, my dear fellow, I’m delighted to speak to you. How did you wear?”
“So-so.”
“When I first saw you, I thought you the handsomest Petersham in town. Your velvet collar, cuffs, and side-pockets, were superb; and when you were the Colonel, upon my life you were the sweetest cut thing about the waist and tails I ever walked with.”
“You flatter me.”
“Upon my honour, no.”