"But your poem?"

"You have heard of that?"

"Yes, indeed, sir."

"Well, madam, that is but another proof of the fact which I assert."

"How, indeed?"

"It is on the prosaic and repulsive subject of the Certiorari."

And Mr. Roundjacket smiled after such a fashion, that it was
not difficult to perceive the small amount of sincerity in this
declaration.

Miss Lavinia looked puzzled, and fanned herself more solemnly than
ever.

"The Certiorari, did you say, sir?" she asked.

"Yes, madam--one of our legal proceedings; and if you are really
curious, I will read a portion of my unworthy poem to you--ahem!--"

As Mr. Roundjacket spoke, an overturned chair in the adjoining room
indicated that the occupant of the apartment had been disturbed by the
noise, and was about to oppose the invasion of his rights.

Roundjacket no sooner heard this, than he restored the poem to his