It is needless to say, after entering so largely into a description
of Lady Gorgon, that her husband was a little shrivelled wizen-faced
creature, eight inches shorter than her Ladyship. This is the way
of the world, as every single reader of this book must have
remarked; for frolic love delights to join giants and pigmies of
different sexes in the bonds of matrimony. When you saw her
Ladyship in flame-coloured satin and gorgeous toque and feathers,
entering the drawing-room, as footmen along the stairs shouted
melodiously, "Sir George and Lady Gorgon," you beheld in her company
a small withered old gentleman, with powder and large royal
household buttons, who tripped at her elbow as a little weak-legged
colt does at the side of a stout mare.

The little General had been present at about a hundred and twenty
pitched battles on Hounslow Heath and Wormwood Scrubs, but had never
drawn his sword against an enemy. As might be expected, therefore,
his talk and tenue were outrageously military. He had the whole
Army List by heart--that is, as far as the field-officers: all
below them he scorned. A bugle at Gorgon Castle always sounded at
breakfast, and dinner: a gun announced sunset. He clung to his
pigtail for many years after the army had forsaken that ornament,
and could never be brought to think much of the Peninsular men for
giving it up. When he spoke of the Duke, he used to call him "MY
LORD WELLINGTON--I RECOLLECT HIM AS CAPTAIN WELLESLEY." He swore
fearfully in conversation, was most regular at church, and regularly
read to his family and domestics the morning and evening prayer; he
bullied his daughters, seemed to bully his wife, who led him whither
she chose; gave grand entertainments, and never asked a friend by
chance; had splendid liveries, and starved his people; and was as