"Tulliwuddle is very late," said Essington; "but he's
a devilish casual gentleman in all matters."

"I am selfish enoff to hope he vill not gom at all!"
exclaimed the Baron.

"Unfortunately he has had the doubtful taste to
conceive a curiously high opinion of myself. I am afraid
he won't desert us. But I don't propose that we shall
suffer for his slackness. Bring the fish, waiter."

The Baron was happy; and that is to say that his
laughter re-echoed from the shining mirrors, his tongue
was loosed, his heart expanded, his glass seemed ever
empty.

"Ach, how to make zis joie de vivre to last beyond to-
night!" he cried. "May ze Teufel fly off mit of offeecial
duties and receptions and--and even mit my vife for a
few days."

"My dear Baron!"

"To Alicia!" cried the Baron hastily, draining his
glass at the toast. "But some fun first!"

" 'I could not love thee, dear, so well,
Loved I not humor more!' "

misquoted his host gaily. "Ah!" he added, "here