parts over when a powdered head, larger than any cauliflower ever grown,
was discerned ascending the stairs, behind the group of gentlemen; which
head, when it brought its body in full view, was discovered to belong
to one of the footmen of Lord Mount Severn. The calves alone, cased in
their silk stockings, were a sight to be seen; and these calves
betook themselves inside the concert room, with a deprecatory bow for
permission to the gentlemen they had to steer through--and there they
came to a standstill, the cauliflower extending forward and turning
itself about from right to left.

"Well, I'll be jiffled!" cried an astonished old fox-hunter, who had
been elbowed by the footman; "the cheek these fellows have!"

The fellow in question did not appear, however, to be enjoying any great
amount of cheek just at that moment, for he looked perplexed, humble and
uneasy. Suddenly his eye fell upon Mr. Carlyle, and it lighted up.

"Beg pardon, sir; could you happen to inform me where-abouts my young
lady is sitting?"

"At the other end of the room, near the orchestra."

"I'm sure I don't know however I am to get to her, then," returned the
man more in self-soliloquy than to Mr. Carlyle. "The room is choke full,
and I don't like crushing by. My lord is taken alarmingly worse, sir,"
he explained in an awe-stricken tone; "it is feared he is dying."

Mr. Carlyle was painfully startled.

"His screams of pain were awful, sir. Mr. Wainwright and another doctor