"They were the general's," repeated the two young ladies; blushing,
however, as they alluded to the subject.

"Well, we thought they were the general's, certainly; and a very
excellent article they were," said Mrs. Jones.

"Perhaps they were the butler's?" said Aunt Sally. I certainly had
not given her credit for so much sarcasm.

"Butler's!" exclaimed Miss Grogram, with a toss of her head.

"Oh, Aunt Sally, Aunt Sally! how can you?" shrieked the two young
ladies.

"Oh laws!" ejaculated Mrs. Jones.

"I don't think that they could have belonged to the butler," said
Miss Macmanus, with much authority, "seeing that domestics in this
country are never clad in garments of that description; so far my
own observation enables me to speak with certainty. But it is
equally sure that they were never the property of the general lately
in command at Antwerp. Generals, when they are in full dress, wear
ornamental lace upon their--their regimentals; and when--" So much
she said, and something more, which it may be unnecessary that I
should repeat; but such were her eloquence and logic that no doubt
would have been left on the mind of any impartial hearer. If an
argumentative speaker ever proved anything, Miss Macmanus proved
that General Chasse had never been the wearer of the article in
question.